Pubdate: Thu, 08 Apr 2004 Source: Edmonton Sun (CN AB) Copyright: 2004, Canoe Limited Partnership. Contact: http://www.fyiedmonton.com/htdocs/edmsun.shtml Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/135 Author: Keith Bradford Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/oxycontin.htm (Oxycontin/Oxycodone) SPIKE IN DISPENSING OF PAINKILLER EYED Alberta's pharmacists and doctors are to review a huge increase in the number of prescriptions issued for a highly addictive drug linked to a series of overdose deaths. It's estimated that abuse of the painkiller OxyContin - known on the street as "hillbilly heroin" - has resulted in more than 300 deaths in the U.S. Problems related to abuse of the drug have also been reported in Eastern Canada and officials in Newfoundland - where the drug has been linked to several deaths - have seen a 400% increase in prescriptions in three years. The number of prescriptions issued in Alberta for the oxycodone group of drugs - which includes OxyContin - also increased from 58,758 in 1997 to 138,235 in 2002. "Are those increases legitimate because of changes in pain management? Are they a reflection of appropriate or inappropriate prescribing? It's too early to tell that," said Alberta College of Pharmacists registrar Greg Eberhart, adding his organization will shortly meet the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta to discuss the issue. "The concerns in the East are a flag saying, 'Let's take a look at what's happening within our own province and let's be proactive.' " OxyContin is a powerful painkiller which can depress the part of the brain that keeps people breathing during sleep. When used in high doses, it can cause respiratory failure. Abuse of the drug has not been a major problem in the Edmonton area but northern Alberta RCMP said it's becoming more common - especially in areas which have transient populations. Rojene Waite, a spokesman for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, said an action plan has been developed to deal with OxyContin abuse because of the "devastating" effect it's had on communities there. The plan calls for increased enforcement, education and industry co-operation. "Historically, this is the first time DEA has ever had an action plan that singles out a particular brand-name drug," she said. "The death potential that we've seen puts it in a different category." - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom