Rules Tougher, Inquest Told

PHARMACISTS MUST ADMINISTER METHADONE

Probe Called After 4 Oshawa-Area Deaths From Drug

Rules governing the dispensing of methadone, often used in treating
addictions to prescription and street drugs, already have been
tightened, an inquest has been told.

Ron Shore, director of Kingston's Street Health Centre, testified
yesterday that Ontario pharmacists have been ordered to stop sending
doses of methadone to private clinics for distribution by their staffs.

Shore said he believed the new directive for pharmacists was a result
of the inquest into four Oshawa-related methadone deaths.

He said the directive would be a problem for his clinic, which has a
deal with a local pharmacy to have each day's methadone supply delivered.

Staff nurses then distribute it to patients.

The inquest was called following the deaths of three clients of the
First Step clinic in Oshawa, and a 17-year-old Bowmanville student who
obtained methadone that had been given to one of the clinic's clients.

Lawyer Martin Campbell, who represents the Oshawa Central Pharmacy
located inside the clinic, said the directive has no effect on the
Oshawa operation. Because the pharmacy is on site, a pharmacist
supervises all methadone administered at the clinic, he said.

In a Sept. 17 directive, the Ontario College of Pharmacists ordered
all druggists to stop delegating methadone distribution by the end of
December, or be subject to "disciplinary proceedings."

Shore said the new rule would have a "negative effect" on his clinic's
clients. He said the clinic's nurses ask the same questions and
provide the same education that a pharmacist would in dispensing drugs.

He told the inquest there has never been a methadone-related death in
the seven years the Kingston clinic has been operating. Della Croteau,
deputy registrar of the Ontario College of Pharmacists, said the new
directive was not a result of the coroner's inquest being called. She
said it came about as part of a regular review of pharmacists'
practices in the province.

"It came to our attention that more than one pharmacist was offering
this service, which we consider to be outside of the standards of
practice," she said in an interview.

The standards require a pharmacist to "interact" with patients to
ensure they know how to take a drug.

The inquest continues Monday.