November 30, 1999
(Health and Community Services)

Minister announces Prescription Drug Monitoring Program

Joan Marie Aylward, Minister of Health and Community Services, today announced the development of a Prescription Drug Monitoring Program which is the result of a collaboration of government, physicians, pharmacists and other related health care professionals. This program represents a $600,000 government commitment over the next two years.

"I am pleased to announce this initiative which will enable us to identify areas of concern - be it individual patients in need of treatment or the need to educate health care professionals in identifying the signs of abuse and misuse," said Minister Aylward. "Working together, I am certain that we can help address these issues, for the betterment of the health and safety of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians."

Dr. Robert Young with the Newfoundland Medical Board (NMB) said: "Medications are important when used appropriately. This program is not intended to target the legitimate use of prescription drugs but identify and prevent the abuse and misuse of medications. Specifically, we are trying to identify when a restricted and controlled prescription drug is being used for an unintended purpose or is being used for longer periods or at higher doses than recommended."

The program will provide a means of monitoring the purchases of all medications with a potential for abuse and misuse. The resultant information administered by the NMB will be valuable in dealing with this problem. The NMB will have the authority to act and/or inform the appropriate parties when a situation is identified.

Newfoundland Pharmaceutical Association representative Don Rowe believes the monitoring program will be beneficial. "Through monitoring we will hopefully cut down on the level of abuse and misuse of prescription drug use in our province."

The program will be operated by the NMB, with an advisory board of other health care professionals.

Media contact: Glenn Bruce, (709) 729-1377.

Statement in the House of Assembly

1999 11 30 11:55 a.m.