Pharmacists to monitor use of OxyContin

Health Canada is telling pharmacists in Atlantic Canada to track the use of narcotics from the family of drugs that includes OxyContin.

OxyContin is a powerful pain medication that falls under the federal government's narcotic control act.

Health Canada said it is concerned about reports of widespread abuse of the drug, especially in Atlantic Canada. In Cape Breton, OxyContin has been linked to several deaths and an increase in thefts and other crime.

• FROM DEC. 15, 2003: Task force will look at abuse of painkiller

The department is demanding prescription information from all pharmacists in the four provinces for all oxycodone-related drugs, from Percocet to OxyContin itself, since Jan. 1.

Those details include the number of pills, the dosage, and the name and address of all doctors and patients.

RELATED

* Coverage from CBC Newfoundland

The information will also let Health Canada see how doctors prescribe the drugs. Pharmacists say if records show doctors overprescribing, it can pass on the details to authorities like the medical licensing boards.

The Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Association isn't opposed to the Health Canada demand. Physician Andrew Major said doctors who prescribe properly have nothing to worry about.

"I think we know that the vast majority of doctors do do their best," he said.

Until now, there have only been estimates on the use of the drugs. Federal officials are collecting the information to gain a more realistic picture of the actual use, said Catherine Saunders, a spokesperson for Health Canada.

Pharmacists have until the middle of August to comply with Health Canada's request.

Pharmacists and doctors in Newfoundland and Labrador said what is really needed to curb improper prescribing is an online system that would provide immediate information about a patient's prescriptions.