Update 2026: An Update of Substance Use – Focus on Opioid Use Disorder

Presenters

Dr. Jessica Loucks
BSc., PharmD, ACPR, RPh
Primary Care Pharmacists, Vancouver Coastal Health
Addiction Pharmacy Fellow, BC Centre on Substance Use

Dr. Loucks holds a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from the University of Guelph and an Entry-to-Practice PharmD from UBC, where she discovered her passion for advancing clinical pharmacy practice. She completed a pharmacy residency with Lower Mainland Pharmacy Services and briefly practiced in acute care at Vancouver General Hospital. Currently serving as a Primary Care Pharmacist, she has developed a strong interest in addiction medicine and the meaningful role pharmacists play in improving outcomes for individuals with substance use disorder. She is completing a Pharmacy Addictions Fellowship with the BC Centre for Substance Use to further expand her expertise in this area. 

 

Ms. Sandy Lu 
BSc. BScPharm, MScPh, RPh
Addiction Pharmacy Fellow, BC Centre on Substance Use 

Sandy Lu is an Addiction Pharmacy Fellow at the BC Centre on Substance Use. A registered pharmacist with extensive experience in community and primary care, she has a special interest in addiction medicine and chronic disease management. She earned her Bachelor of Pharmacy from the University of British Columbia and a Master of Science in Public Health from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Her work spans clinical practice, education, and research, including opioid agonist therapy training and systematic reviews on safe prescribing practices. Sandy advances evidence-based pharmacotherapy and patient-centered outcomes through education and care. 

Session Information

Description

Join us for a focused update on opioid use disorder. We will review current approaches to screening and diagnosis, key symptoms of acute opioid withdrawal, and practical management strategies. This session will also explore treatment planning in collaboration with clients, compare opioid agonist treatment options, and highlight harm reduction services and relevant clinical resources.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

  • Describe updated recommendations for individuals with opioid use disorder.
  • Compare opioid agonist treatment options for individuals with opioid use disorder.
  • Apply recommended principles of care when treating opioid use disorder.

Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences

2405 Wesbrook Mall
Vancouver, BC Canada
V6T 1Z3
info.pharmsci@ubc.ca

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