Pharmacist says move toward methadone treatment may present challenges

HALIFAX – The province may run into some challenges if it plans on moving toward drug replacement therapy to treat opioid addiction.

That according to Tanya Howley, a pharmacist working out of North Sydney, who said those looking looking to treat their opioid addiction through drugs like methadone or suboxone may have to wait a while.

“There is still a waiting list for patients who want and need help. There has been a waiting list for the 11 years I’ve been practicing as a pharmacist. That seems unreasonable,” said Howley.

“Regardless of how we help them, whether it’s through suboxone or methadone, it’s very unnerving that they have to wait for that help.”

Howley adds one of her biggest concerns regarding the Canada’s opioid crisis stems from drugs that are not coming out of the doctors office.

“This carfentanil that’s coming out. I just read a report about it being tested in Ontario. There were medications that were made, and that was present in it. That is about 100 times more potent than the fentanyl we have in our safe,” she said.

On Thursday, Nova Scotia’s Health Minister Leo Glavine said opioid treatment has been a very difficult issue, and adds he supports a move away from detox programs and toward methadone treatment.

“I support this shift and I know that we would have prevented some deaths if we had people on replacement therapy much sooner.”

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