Health Canada has reclassified a so-called overdose antidote to make the drug available without a prescription.
According to a March 22 notice, naloxone, also known by its trademark name Narcan, will now be available over-the-counter.
The change will make it easier for first responders in Vancouver to administer naloxone, or Narcan, to help save anyone who has overdosed on opioids like heroin or fentanyl.
Health Canada said it consulted 130 groups on the proposal to remove the need for a prescription in emergencies outside a hospital – and all of them supported the change.
Vancouver and Surrey firefighters began carrying naloxone in January, in response to the rising number of overdose deaths in B.C.
In 2015 alone, there were 465 drug overdose deaths, and fentanyl was detected in 30% of them.
Agencies/Canadajournal
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