OxyContin abuse target of Ontario bill

A bill aimed at curbing the abuse of the highly addictive painkiller OxyContin and other prescription drugs will be tabled in the Ontario legislature on Wednesday.

The bill would allow the province to monitor prescription narcotics and other controlled substances, from painkillers to stimulants and sedatives.

Currently, the province only tracks drugs prescribed under a public program that funds medications for seniors, welfare recipients and the disabled.

The bill will expand that database, and issue an alert if someone tries to get the same drugs from different doctors or tries to fill a prescription at several pharmacies.

It would also identify doctors and pharmacists who are prescribing or dispensing too many drugs, which could lead to police stepping in.

Health Minister Deb Matthew announced the changes last month, saying she hoped the move would end a "crisis" of narcotic abuse spreading across Canada.