Learning from a killer drug: Lessons from 27 deaths linked to PMMA

CALGARY – Between July 2011 and April 2012, pursuing a high ended the lives of 27 Canadians. Twenty people in Alberta and seven people in British Columbia died after taking a toxic form of ecstasy known as PMMA, or paramethoxymethamphetamine.

Three years later, a study examining these deaths has been published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.  It found lives were likely saved because public health agencies, police services and other stakeholders worked together.

“These organizations and agencies developed clinical practice guidelines that were disseminated  to healthcare providers. They also coordinated media messages that were put out to community agencies, schools and university populations,” said Dr. Jennifer Nicol, an emergency room physician and lead author of the study.

Prior to 2011, Canada had never seen a death related to PMMA, and since April 2012, there has been only one additional fatality in Alberta.  But researchers say the drug is still in circulation.

“We know that in 2013 and 2014, there were six PMMA-positive cases in southern Alberta, though none of the patients died,” said Yarema.

The study also found victims waited up to 17 hours before seeking medical attention.  Dr. Yarema says when it comes to this type of drug overdose, every moment matters and delaying treatment can be deadly.

“What is really important for people to realize is we can do far more for people when they come to emergency earlier or call 911 earlier, because that cooling process and the process to stop their organs from shutting down can start much earlier.”

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There were 19 survivors during the 2011-2012 PMMA outbreak.  Researchers are now examining why those patients survived in an effort to improve care for anyone who may suffer an overdose of this drug in the future.