WINNIPEG — A drug that could save fentanyl users from an overdose is not as readily available as Winnipeg police say it is.
On Thursday, police sent out an unusual news release on an opioid drug bust that also contained a warning on how to use fentanyl safely. It also included where to access naloxone if you are experiencing an overdose.
Police stated that naloxone can be purchased from “any pharmacy, without a prescription.” However, Global News went to a handful of inner city pharmacies and called several more around the city and were not able to find the drug.
A pharmacy on Selkirk Ave. carried the fentanyl overdose remedy, however, a half-hour training session at Street Connections was required before access to the naloxone was granted. After taking the training session at a Hargrave Avenue office building, a proof-of-training certificate was handed over, which is the piece of paper the Selkirk Ave. pharmacy needed to give the naloxone overdose response kit. It cost $34.
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Staff at Street Connections and the Selkirk Ave. pharmacy were helpful, but the process was cumbersome and time consuming. Winnipeg police have refused to comment.
According to Pharmacists Manitoba, it’s up to each pharmacy whether they want to carry it.
“It is a new thing, it was made a non prescription item recently just this year,” Carey Lai said.
Lai wasn’t able to confirm which pharmacies have it, but said he would like to see it more readily available as opioids become a bigger concern on the streets.
“I think there will be more and more access points through the pharmacies. I believe fentanyl is becoming an epidemic in the city and even in our country,” Lai said.
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