Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Canada’s the world capital of potent opioids, and that makes its neighbour nervous

March 26, 2013 6:44 am

By Anna Mehler Paperny Global News



Canada leads the world in hydromorphone consumption (2010 data) Pain & Policy Studies Group, University of Wisconsin Carbone


Health Canada rattled nerves south of the border last fall when it approved generic versions of OxyContin.

United States drug czar Gil Kerlikowske issued an alert to law-enforcement agencies, warning that “the potential exists for diversion into the United States because the old formulations, which are easier to abuse, are unavailable in the United States,” the Wall Street Journal reported.

“This alert seeks to raise awareness of this change with law enforcement along the Northern Border so law enforcement and border officials can work jointly to prevent diversion.”


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