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Jump in narcotics prescribed dramatic

By: Jen Skerritt

8/12/2009 1:00 AM | Comments: 9

THE number of prescriptions for potentially addictive painkillers like OxyContin skyrocketed after Manitoba Health agreed to pay for the drugs under Pharmacare.

A new study released Monday by the Manitoba Centre for Health Policy found prescriptions for narcotics like OxyContin and oxycodone, an opioid found in drugs like Percocet, jumped dramatically after they were added to the province's Pharmacare program in 1999.

Researchers analyzed prescription data between 1995 and 2005 and found the number of prescriptions for oxycodone increased five times over the 10-year period. Prescriptions for OxyContin, also known as "hillbilly heroin", increased 95 times.

Recently, front-line addiction workers have reported an alarming rise in the number of young people addicted to powerful opiates like OxyContin. The disturbing trend has devastated families and frustrated medical professionals who say the abuse is propagated by the illicit resale of prescription drugs.

Though researchers didn't analyze the reasons behind the sharp increase in opioid prescriptions, the study speculates that doctors are more willing to prescribe narcotics to treat and manage pain. The study notes that reports of abuse of certain opioids may also be a factor.

"We saw OxyContin and oxycodone increase quite rapidly," said Colette Raymond, one of the study's authors, who is also a clinical pharmacist with the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority. "(The reason) is certainly an area for further study."

The use of medications like Tylenol 3 also increased after the powerful painkillers were included in Pharmacare.

Raymond said it's important to note that even after the increase, a very small number -- only .2 per cent of the province's population -- fill prescriptions for OxyContin.

The soaring use of the drug comes with dangers.

Deaths as a result of taking narcotic pain relievers have nearly doubled in 14 years, says an Ontario-based study released Monday. In particular, deaths from oxycodone rose fivefold between 1999 and 2004, immediately following the introduction of OxyContin in Ontario.

Most deaths occurred in individuals who were also taking sleeping pills or alcohol, said researchers involved in the study, published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.

jen.skerritt@freepress.mb.ca

 

 

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition December 8, 2009 A4

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9 Commentscomment icon

I think so many things need to be done to address these issues and the people making all the important decisions really dont see the whole picture. You never hear about how this medication has done absolute wonders in patients that dont abuse it. They get looked at in such a negative way. My best friend who is a professional has to get his wife to get him his medication because he is embarrassed to see the pharmacist because they always look at him so negatively. He had changed pharmacies and it followed. I know my friend would not be here today if it wasn't for this medication as he had broken discs in his back and we are all appreciative of him being here today. If only .2% of people are prescribed Oxycontin, you would think the Wrha with all the money they throw away foolishly should us it more efficiently and fire maybe 2 people who make 225,000 A YEAR TO DO NOTHING and figure out some of these important situations.

For those of us with a legitimate need for these medications the hoops we have to get them are enough already. For those who use them to feed an addiction or sell, will go to any lengths to get them. Why penalize the people who need these medications? We all know how well the gun registry works to fight gun related crime.

We need a system in which we can have all the pharamcies in Winnipeg have a coordinated computer system to prevent abusers shuffling through several different doctors to obtain prescriptions for opioids.

For example, for every request for opioids from a patient, a doctor should enter this data into a computer system linked to all pharamcies in the city. That way, before a customer can pick up his or her prescription, the pharmacist can check the computer to ensure that the patient has a legit prescription from only one or two doctors. A customer with several unnecessary opioid prescriptions recorded onto the system can safely be labelled as an abuser and thus the pharmacist can deny the prescription to the customer, or at least alert the doctors of the situation.

We need a system in which we can have all the pharamcies in Winnipeg have a coordinated computer system to prevent abusers shuffling through several different doctors to obtain prescriptions for opioids.

For example, for every request for opioids from a patient, a doctor should enter this data into a computer system linked to all pharamcies in the city. That way, before a customer can pick up his or her prescription, the pharmacist can check the computer to ensure that the patient has a legit prescription from only one or two doctors. A customer with several unnecessary opioid prescriptions recorded onto the system can safely be labelled as an abuser and thus the pharmacist can deny the prescription to the customer, or at least alert the doctors of the situation.

its funny how they wont legalize marijauna, but the government will pay for your prescription for these kind of drugs. dont do street drugs! do LEGAL DRUGS!.

increase in pre-scribed pain killers? DO the Doctors get a kick back from the Pharma Companies? Maybe the Manitoba Health should look into this a little closer. Why the increase? Who is asking for it? And why? If this is addicting, should careful observations be made before prescribing them? When your at your doctors office, ever notice how after 7 mins into your appt. he/she looks at the clock or taps his/her pen? So, maybe it's done to get you out and the next person in for more pre-scribed drugs?

This was reported on a while back by the Free Press. I wonder how the College is dealing with this situation.

We now Need an Addiction Withdrawal Center for Oxycontin!! Maybe then, my young friend will be able to quit this narcotic and get her young children back from CFS. WFP if you really want a story about the effects this drug has had on my young friend, and her children, contact me!

i'd sure like to know how they decide what drugs shall be covered and what ones will not be , i've been on spriva for over a year now to keep me breathing and that one is not covered , at 100 bucks a month . deciding to go with out what that month can be trying at times but , i've been managing just like many many others i'm sure . but knowing how they decide would be nice

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