A new rule set by the B.C. Health Ministry has come into effect, requiring medical supervision for those who consume safer supply drugs.
Several months after being first announced, B.C. is now requiring all patients to be part of their prescribed alternatives program, to have medical supervision — like from a pharmacist — when consuming.
The change is partly due to efforts to combat safer supply drugs being diverted from users, and sold in the streets. In February, the province said it was informed that a “significant portion” of prescribed drugs by doctors and pharmacists was being trafficked globally.
The health ministry also said at the time it was investigating around 60 pharmacies that were allegedly involved in the diversion.
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“We know it’s so important to make sure that these medications only land in the hands of those people for whom they are intended, which is why we are supporting pharmacists, pharmacies, prescribers, in moving to a witnessed consumption model, with exceptions only being made in exceptional circumstances,” said the Ministry of Health in an email.
The new changes are getting mixed reactions from advocates. Teresa Reeves, founder of West Coast Recovery Outreach Society, says it’s long overdue.
“I went through the system myself when I was an addict, and if you’re serious about wanting to get clean, you’ll follow the rules of what they’re asking you to do,” said Reeves.
She says she’s witnessed first-hand safer supply drugs being misused and sold to others on the street.
“We need to get a handle on it. Safe supply works if it’s worked properly,” said Reeves.
Harm reduction advocate Guy Felicella disagrees with the move and says it would create extra barriers for those seeking recovery.
“Let’s say somebody does have employment or has a job, how do you expect them to go into a pharmacy four times a day?” said Felicella.
“If we put up too many barriers for them to access the services, then they’ll access the street drugs. I’d like to remind everybody that it’s the street drugs that are killing people, it’s not the prescription drugs that are.”
On Wednesday, the Ministry of Health said the investigation into the pharmacies involved is still ongoing.
B.C.’s Health Critic: ‘This clearly is not helping people’
Conservative Skeena-Bulkley Valley MLA Claire Rattée says the rule change is an example of a failing program.
“I don’t think moving to witness consumption is going to deter people that legitimately need to use these prescribed alternatives for the intended purpose,” said Rattée.
The MLA, who recovered from addictions herself, says the program should be scrapped, and investments should be made elsewhere to battle addictions.
“Access to treatment, getting more treatment beds open, access to mental health care, investing in things like sober-living facilities, and education and training opportunities for people after they leave treatment.”
“I’m 100 per cent positive that if the government was going to be handing out free drugs for me, back when I was struggling with addiction, I would not have felt any shame using them in front of a doctor.”
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