Pubdate: Thu, 07 Aug 2014
Source: Metro (Vancouver, CN BC)
Copyright: 2014 Metro Canada
Contact:  http://www.metronews.ca/vancouver
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3775
Author: Matt Kieltyka
Page: 4

NEW HEROIN THERAPY INEFFECTIVE, CAUSES RELAPSE: DRUG USER GROUP

The province's health minister says the effectiveness, or lack
thereof, of a new heroin treatment regime must be evaluated before
he'll get involved.

Terry Lake's comments follow an open letter sent Tuesday by the
Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users (VANDU) to government and health
officials claiming that the switch from methadone to Methadose in
February has had "alarming side effects" on up to a quarter of
patients in the Methadone Maintenance Program.

"We are deeply concerned by the number of us, our friends, colleagues
and loved ones who are relapsing - using heroin or other opiates to
deal with this withdrawal - in many cases, after years of abstaining,"
the letter reads.

VANDU says many patients find a daily dose Methadose, a prescribed
medicine in liquid form, wears off in as little as 16 hours, leaving
patients with painful withdrawal symptoms until the next dose can be
taken.

Mykle Ludvigsen, the director of public accountability and engagement
for the College of Pharmacists of B.C., told Metro it's standard
practice to switch over to a commercially-available product once it
gets approval from Health Canada, as is the case for Methadose.

It has same level of methadone as the previously available solution,
and the college has conducted random inspections to ensure that's the
case.

The tests have come back OK, but Ludvigsen confirmed there is
anecdotal evidence from patients that Methadose may not be lasting as
long.

"We're trying to get to the bottom of it," Ludvigsen said, adding that
the complaints are being raised with Health Canada and Methadose's
manufacturer.

On Wednesday, Lake said he was aware of the concerns and has ordered
an evaluation.

"We'll do that review and if we need to adjust the policy, we'll do
that," he told media. "When you make a change like going from
methadone to Methadose - which was made for good therapeutic reasons
in terms of reducing potential side effects and negative effects and
for safety reasons - you always want to examine how that transition
occurs."

Lake said the province is committed to the best outcome for
patients.

"For some people, perhaps methadone is better than Methadose," Lake
said. "I don't want to jump to that conclusion, but we need to look at
the experience and gather some data before we make some decisions
moving forward."
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MAP posted-by: Matt