15°c Clear
25°c Variable cloudiness
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
More Local
(1 of 50 articles for this week)
Winnipeg man given 2-year sentence for coma-inducing 'sucker punch'
06/17/2013 4:21 PM 0A St. Vital man was sent to prison this afternoon for attacking another man at a 2010 Halloween social, putting ...
Poll
Most Popular Local
- A day in the life of 13,380 Manitoba Marathon participants
- Known as kind, outgoing men
- Winnipeg man given 2-year sentence for coma-inducing 'sucker punch'
- Poolside feeding prompts eviction
- Man convicted of drunk driving in Henderson pile-up
- Zoo's tigers will get more room to roam
- Saskatchewan considering hydro deal with Manitoba
- Kenyan's title tops field of triumphs
- St. Norbert's hopping
- Carman seniors' home evacuated due to fire
- Safeway stores likely to close
- Squirrel crawls out of Winnipegger's toilet
- Poolside feeding prompts eviction
- Stoppage of play off the field
- Game-day planning a must
- No mad dash for concessions
- Kenyan wins Manitoba Marathon
- Traffic heavy as Bomber fans flock to U of M
- Killer 'should stay in prison'
- Chiefs call for inquest into woman's death in nursing station
- Father blasts 'horrific' movie
- Safeway stores likely to close
- Man charged, victims identified in double homicide
- Man dies after being pulled from vehicle submerged in Winnipeg retention pond
- Flood money paid for CEO's romantic trip
- Car in deadly crash stolen?
- UPDATE: Now with FAQ: Keeping the e-party going without the party-crashers
- Squirrel crawls out of Winnipegger's toilet
- Daycare provider charged with abandonment
- Two people killed in crash north of Winnipeg
- A day in the life of 13,380 Manitoba Marathon participants
- Known as kind, outgoing men
- Carman seniors' home evacuated due to fire
- Kenyan's title tops field of triumphs
- Rally for newcomers' health care
- Mine cleanup tangled up in ownership flap
- Recess date passes as Tories battle PST hike
- St. Norbert's hopping
- Saskatchewan considering hydro deal with Manitoba
- Toronto woman dead in rural Manitoba ATV wreck
- Squirrel crawls out of Winnipegger's toilet
- Safeway stores likely to close
- Doctors blamed for death
- App could give Winnipeggers chance to report bad parking, get paid
- $110-K worth of nickel plates stolen from Thompson mine
- Jaimie Creasy becomes first woman to graduate from RRC with degree
- A day in the life of 13,380 Manitoba Marathon participants
- Students protest for water access
- Stoppage of play off the field
- Bomber fans wowed by new stadium
- Squirrel crawls out of Winnipegger's toilet
- Developers to unveil plans for bold downtown tower
- Father blasts 'horrific' movie
- Teachers support adding sexual-orientation themes to all curricula
- The crime fighter's revolution
- Safeway stores likely to close
- Car in deadly crash stolen?
- Fishing for fashion
- City's first urban reserve born
- On board with the Snowbirds
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 be a Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscriber to join the conversation and give your feedback.
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is be a Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscriber to join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
Have Your Say
Comments are open to Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscribers only. why?
Login SubscribeHave Your Say
Comments are open to Winnipeg Free Press Subscribers only. why?
SubscribeThe 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.