The Government of Ontario will introduce legislation this fall to curb the growing abuse of prescription narcotics and controlled substances, including those containing oxycodone.
The number of oxycodone-related deaths in Ontario has nearly doubled since 2004, and prescriptions for oxycodone-containing products rose by 900 per cent since 1991. Across North America, addictions, crime and deaths related to prescription drug abuse have increased significantly in recent years.
As part of its narcotics strategy, the province will track prescriptions through a new database that will flag unusual patterns of prescribing and dispensing. In instances of inappropriate activity, responses could include educational support and resources, reporting to the appropriate regulatory college and, in extreme circumstances, law enforcement. As part of the new strategy, patients will be better informed about the appropriate use of prescription narcotics.
The new narcotics strategy will put Ontario in line with six other provinces and 33 U.S. states that have prescription drug monitoring programs in place.
"Ontario needs a system-wide program to address serious problems associated with prescription narcotics and controlled substances," said Dr. Jack Mandel, president of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario. "Ontario's plan to educate the public and health providers, as well as implement a system to monitor prescribing and dispensing, are critical steps forward."
Narcotics abuse-related admissions to publicly funded treatment and addiction services in Ontario doubled from 2004-08, and a number of First Nations communities have declared a state of emergency over the abuse of prescription narcotics, particularly oxycodone-containing drugs.
Oxycodone is an opioid analgesic medication synthesized from opium-derived thebaine, a constituent of opium that is chemically similar to morphine and codeine, but has stimulatory rather than depressant effects. Purdue Pharma markets a time-release formula of oxycodone under the brand name OxyContin.
Ontario's narcotics strategy was developed with the advice of the Narcotics Advisory Panel. Established in March 2009, the 12-member group includes family physicians, pain and addictions specialists, pharmacists, the coroner's office, professional regulatory bodies and law enforcement.
