Ontario urged to implement Oxycontin regulations

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by Change | 9 Jun 2010

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Ontario should implement tougher laws governing the use of Oxycontin, a local doctor has said.

The Canadian province of Ontario should follow the example set by Manitoba in implementing tougher restrictions on the use of Oxycontin, a prescription painkiller.

This is the suggestion of local doctor Mark Quigg, who said at a recent presentation that Oxycontin, which is known as 'hillbilly heroin', is now the new drug of choice on the province's streets, The Enterprise Bulletin reports.

Restrictions on the use of the prescription drug in Manitoba were introduced in March, with the new rules designed to limit the extent to which the medication is abused.

"Now only patients with cancer or other chronic conditions, where an alternate painkiller can't be used for medical reasons, are now allowed a prescription for Oxycontin and doctors are required to seek approval from Manitoba Health to prescribe the drug," the news provider reported Dr Quigg as saying.

The doctor went on to say that the solution "is political" and that Ontario should implement similar measures by only allowing Oxycontin to be prescribed to cancer patients, something it is hoped will help curb drug addiction levels.

Oxycontin is similar to morphine and is taken in tablet form to treat moderate to severe pain.

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