Pubdate: Sat, 02 Jul 2016
Source: Record, The (Kitchener, CN ON)
Copyright: 2016 Metroland Media Group Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.therecord.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/225
Author: Johanna Weidner
Page: B7

ANTI-OVERDOSE DRUG WILL BE AVAILABLE

Ontario pharmacies to distribute life-saving naloxone free to people
at risk, their families or friends

WATERLOO REGION - A life-saving drug that reverses the effects of an
accidental overdose will be available for free at pharmacies across
Ontario.

People at risk of an overdose, their family or friends can pick up
naloxone at a pharmacy and receive training on how to safely
administer the drug in the case of an emergency opioid overdose.

"It's fantastic news," said Chris Harold, acting manager of the harm
reduction program at Region of Waterloo Public Health.

"The point of naloxone is really to prevent deaths due to opioid
overdose. Anything that expands access to this or gets it into the
hands of more individuals could have a great impact."

Previously, naloxone was available only to current or former opioid
users by prescription or through the Ontario Naloxone Program.

"This change will increase access," Harold said.

In Waterloo Region, naloxone was distributed through public health and
Sanguen Health Centre, a clinic for people living with or at risk of
hepatitis C, which has Waterloo and Guelph offices. It will still be
available through there.

But having it in pharmacies will also get the drug to those who often
administer it when someone is in distress.

"The people who typically administer it are around people who are
using," Harold said.

At least 23 people were saved in the first full year of the regional
program, which started in June 2014. Sanguen began offering it about a
year earlier.

In that first year, 64 people were trained and 96 kits were handed
out, including both first-time and replacement kits, according to a
report to regional council in December.

Overdose victims survived in 23 out of 24 incidents where naloxone was
administered. In one case, the reporting person was unsure because
they left after giving the drug.

Details of the program are not yet available, but work is underway,
including locally with the University of Waterloo's pharmacy school on
training for pharmacies.

"It's going to take a bit of time to fully rollout," Harold
said.

Opioid addiction and overdose is a serious public health concern in
Ontario.

An overdose of opioid drugs, such as fentanyl, morphine, heroin,
methadone or oxycodone, can slow or stop a person's breathing.

Naloxone is an injectable medication that can reverse this effect,
allowing the person to breathe more normally and possibly regain
consciousness. That gives time to seek medical attention to treat the
overdose.

Ontario joined other provinces last year in calling for Health Canada
to remove the prescription status of naloxone, and earlier this month
the National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities decided to
reclassify naloxone.
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MAP posted-by: Matt