Kanada. Addressing the opioid crisis through innovative treatment options and investments in frontline projects and research
Kanada. Addressing the opioid crisis through innovative treatment options and investments in frontline projects and research
Backgrounder
New evidence-based treatments available for opioid use disorder
On May 1, Health Canada approved a new indication for injectable hydromorphone for use by qualified healthcare professionals as part of injectable opioid agonist therapy in adults with severe opioid use disorder. This is the first approval of injectable hydromorphone for this purpose in the world.
On April 25, the Minister of Health also added diacetylmorphine (prescription heroin) to the federal government’s List of Drugs for an Urgent Public Health Need, on the recommendation of Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer, Dr. Theresa Tam. This list enables qualified healthcare professionals access to drugs to address an urgent public health need that are authorized for sale in certain other countries, but not yet authorized in Canada. Diacetylmorphine can now be imported and supplied in any province or territory in Canada to address the opioid crisis. (Health Canada, Kanada, 15.05.2019)