Pubdate: Sat, 19 Dec 2015
Source: Regina Leader-Post (CN SN)
Contact:  2015 The Leader-Post Ltd.
Website: http://www.leaderpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/361
Author: Author: Charles Hamilton, with Calgary Herald files
Page: A4

EXPERT FAVOURS MORE ACCESS TO DRUG THAT REVERSES ODS

Touted As Life-Saving Tool, Naxalone May Soon Be Available in Drugstores

In principle, I am in favour of increased access, but the devils are 
in the details.

A Saskatoon addictions expert says he is cautiously optimistic after 
news that a lifesaving anti-overdose drug could be available in 
Canadian pharmacies without a prescription by early to mid-2016.

"In principle, I am in favour of increased access, but the devils are 
in the details," Dr. Peter Butt said.

Naloxone is an "anti-overdose" drug that can temporarily reverse the 
effects of an opioid overdose from drugs like morphine, fentanyl, 
heroin or methadone.

Earlier this week, Health Canada revealed it has fast-tracked a 
review of the prescription-only status of naloxone.

The move comes as health officials across the country look at ways to 
combat a rash of overdoses from the increasingly popular opioid fentanyl.

"We're trying to respond to the public health need," Health Canada 
senior medical adviser Supriya Sharma told the Calgary Herald earlier 
this week.

"At the same time, we need to do our due diligence."

Saskatoon is already the site of a pilot project aimed at opiate 
addicts who might benefit from access to naloxone.

Opiate users are given take-home kits containing naloxone and receive 
training on how to inject the drug into someone who is having an overdose.

The uptake in the pilot program has been slower than first imagined, 
Butt said, partly because of Health Canada regulations around who can 
be prescribed the naloxone.

"If we could work with other agencies that are doing more of the 
street level, we could have more of an impact," Butt said.

Health Canada's review of naloxone prescription was launched in July 
and includes gathered evidence on the demand for naloxone in 
provinces and territories, as well as a scientific review of the drug 
and consultations with experts. The federal health agency expects to 
make a decision in January or February.

The review could break down some of the barriers currently in place 
for people wanting access to the anti-overdose drug.

Of course, who will be allowed to get prescriptions and how much 
training they receive is still up in the air.

"The question is: What is the technology? Because people need to 
learn how to use it," Butt said.

Butt said he might like to see naloxone distributed similar to the 
way EpiPens are offered for people with allergies. The key is getting 
more addicts and users connected with the support services to help 
them through their addictions, he said.

"That outreach and engagement is an important part."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom