Health and Community Services
December 6, 2016

Addressing Addiction in Communities

Minister Announces Latest Initiative under Provincial Opioid Action Plan

The Honourable John Haggie, Minister of Health and Community Services, announced today the next step in the province’s Opioid Action Plan; the provision of suboxone as an alternative drug to methadone for people undergoing addictions treatment.

“We have to tackle the opioid abuse problem on every front – from prescribing in the physician’s office, to dispensing at the pharmacy, to helping those in our communities with addiction. Removing barriers to suboxone will help ensure it can be prescribed as an alternative treatment drug for those in addiction recovery.”
- The Honourable John Haggie, Minister of Health and Community Services

Methadone must be taken as a liquid and can lead to overdose. Suboxone can be taken in tablet form and is considered a safer alternative, as it is less prone to overdose because of its chemical properties. Access to suboxone no longer requires special authorization under the Newfoundland and Labrador Prescription Drug Program. Increasing access to this drug will ensure those in need will receive access to drug therapy as early as possible in their treatment.

This initiative is in addition to recently announced distribution of naloxone take-home kits for those at risk of opioid overdose. The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador’s Opioid Action Plan also includes:

• Development of a safe prescribing course in partnership with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Newfoundland and Labrador and Memorial University’s Faculty of Medicine;
• New regulatory standards from the Newfoundland and Labrador Pharmacy Board requiring all pharmacies to be connected to the Provincial Pharmacy Network;
• Development of a province-wide Prescription Monitoring Program; and
• Developing a provincial public awareness and education program on opioids.

QUICK FACTS

• As part of the Province’s Opioid Action Plan, suboxone is now more readily available for those undergoing opioid addiction treatment.
• Suboxone is considered a safer treatment alternative, as it is less prone to overdose because of its chemical properties.
• Increasing access to this drug will ensure those in need will receive access to drug therapy as early as possible in their treatment

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Media contact:

Emily Timmins Media Relations Manager Department of Health and Community Services 709-729-6986, 693-1292 emilytimmins@gov.nl.ca

2016 12 06                              10:15 a.m.