No prescription for Naloxone

Naloxone, a drug used to treat overdoses, is now available in Canada without a prescription, Health Canada announced Tuesday. The news comes as Metro Vancouver drug users are being warned to be cautious about bad batches of fentanyl and what’s expected to be the arrival of W-18, a painkiller that is up to 100 times stronger than fentanyl, to B.C. Also known as Narcan, the drug is used to reverse the effects of opioids and can restore breathing within two to five minutes. Up until now, the drug required a doctor’s prescription. On Tuesday, the health authority shared the update in a notice posted to its website. The change follows a public consultation launched in January. “Over 130 responses on the proposal of removing prescription status for naloxone when used outside hospital settings were received and all were in favour,” read the notice.