Pubdate: Fri, 30 Oct 2015
Source: Medicine Hat News (CN AB)
Copyright: 2015 Alberta Newspaper Group, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.medicinehatnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1833
Author: Alex McCuaig
Page: A4

INJUNCTION SOUGHT AGAINST NEW METHADONE CLINIC

The future of how methadone treatment is provided in the city will, at
least in part, be decided this morning as an established addictions
clinic is seeking an court injunction against a startup clinic.

The owner of the Fourth Street Pharmacy is seeking the injunction
against the recently established Medicine Hat Addiction Clinic with
counsel representing both arguing their case Thursday at Medicine Hat
Court of Queen's Bench.

Fourth Street is alleging the new specialized treatment centre's owner
and former employee, Natalie Knowlton, breached her fiduciary duty as
a key staff member.

Counsel for Knowlton argued there were concerns expressed by one of
the attending doctors regarding whether Fourth Street was meeting the
standards for administrating methadone.

Methadone is a narcotic used in the addiction treatment of heroin and
other opiate derivative users and its therapeutic use is highly
regulated with standards set by the Alberta College of Physicians and
Surgeons.

The court heard Fourth Street was the sole prescriber of methadone in
the city since 2006 through its clinic and corresponding pharmacy but
the business was recently sold in August 2015 to Paul Lackan.

Knowlton, a manager at Fourth Street, left shortly thereafter and
established a competing clinic.

Counsel for Fourth Street argued that as a "key employee," Knowlton
had intricate knowledge of the operations of the company, altered a
voice message directing clients to her new clinic and took medical
files.

Fourth Street is seeking a one-year injunction against Knowlton in an
effort for her to stop taking business from Fourth Street.

In regards to the files, Knowlton's counsel argued his client was
following the direction of Fourth Street's Dr. Francois Malan - one of
two doctors who left the established company along with two other
pharmacy employees - as the clinic no longer had a custodian for those
files. As well, the voice message was changed to give patients
receiving methadone information as to where to go as Malan had joined
Knowlton's clinic and there was no other place for them to go. In
addition, counsel argued Knowlton has a right to pursue her economic
opportunities and the court should utilize extreme caution in limiting
that right - especially as there has been no proof presented as to if
or what the financial ramifications have been to Fourth Street.

Justice Dallas Miller will render his decision on the injunction
application this morning.
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MAP posted-by: Matt