3°c Overcast
11°c Light rain
Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
Jump in narcotics prescribed dramatic
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.
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition December 8, 2009 A4
More Local
- Back to Top
- Return to Local
Poll
Proudly brought to you by:
Most Popular Local
- Cyclist killed on Higgins Avenue was passionate mentor, volunteer
- Man hit before fatal blow, friend testifies
- Katz ponders sanity of new rules
- Band, council defy feds on aid
- Police cadets to deal with drunks
- Thieves strip $20K worth of copper wiring from gravel pit
- Pukatawagan RCMP looking for two dangerous suspects
- Union Station to receive $6.5-million makeover
- Gang members get lengthy sentences for jailhouse beating
- Kelvin project lesson in sacrifice
- Bear pulls camper from outhouse, before being shot
- Cyclist killed in collision on Higgins identified
- Severe storm warning issued
- A SHED is not enough
- Cyclist killed on Higgins Avenue was passionate mentor, volunteer
- Football star's fatal punch probed at manslaughter trail
- Scientists lash Harper government for pulling plug on Experimental Lakes Area
- Cyclist killed in Higgins Avenue crash
- Sex-scandal inquiry to be heard in city
- Winnipeg man recovering after campground bear attack
- Boozy night out, lying cost city man big bucks
- Neighbours shaken by two deaths
- Teen hit by vehicle on Pembina
- Rapid buses rattling homes
- Severe storm warning issued
- Has Gimli gone to pot?
- Bear pulls camper from outhouse, before being shot
- Cyclist killed in collision on Higgins identified
- Dr. Seuss banned from B.C. classroom
- Triple whammy hits homes
- Diplomat saved thousands from Hitler
- His life made our world a better place
- Band, council defy feds on aid
- Cyclist killed on Higgins Avenue was passionate mentor, volunteer
- Cummings steps out of reunion for sick mom
- Katz ponders sanity of new rules
- Pukatawagan RCMP looking for two dangerous suspects
- He was enjoying view, bear came out of blue
- Kelvin project lesson in sacrifice
- Hydro headquarters named Canada's greenest office tower
- Bear pulls camper from outhouse, before being shot
- Pooch paradise, where champion beagles run free
- His life made our world a better place
- Scientists lash Harper government for pulling plug on Experimental Lakes Area
- Winnipeg man recovering after campground bear attack
- Weeding out the chemicals
- He was enjoying view, bear came out of blue
- Diplomat saved thousands from Hitler
- U of W rejects copyright deal as 'money grab'
- Chemicals not par for the course
- Bear pulls camper from outhouse, before being shot
- Has Gimli gone to pot?
- Pooch paradise, where champion beagles run free
- His life made our world a better place
- Scientists lash Harper government for pulling plug on Experimental Lakes Area
- RRC's old gem a beauty
- Attack on hockey ref nets jail time
- Osborne Village voted Canada's best neighbourhood
- Our Village is as good as it gets
- Judge faces second complaint
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.
The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010; View the changes. New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.