Naloxone not just life-saving, it's cost-effective, UW study finds
Amid a worsening toxic drug crisis, increasing the availability of naloxone nasal spray across the country will save lives, a new study from University of Waterloo has found.
It’s also cost-effective, the researchers say.
An average of 22 Canadians die each day from suspected drug poisonings, according to the Government of Canada.
In Waterloo Region, there were eight deaths in the two-week period between March 19 and April 5.
“Naloxone itself is life or death,” says Simone Morrison, director of outreach at Sanguen Heath Services.
Naloxone temporarily reverses the effects of an overdose. The medical effectiveness of the drug is well documented, but a new study from the University of Waterloo shows it’s also cost-effective – particularly for governments like Ontario that offer the nasal spray version for free.
Candice Chaffey, a nurse at a Toronto-area hospital, opens an injection Naloxone kit as she poses for a photo on Thursday, June 29, 2023. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Arlyn McAdorey)
While publically-funded injectable naloxone is available across the country, only Ontario, Quebec and the Northwest Territories also fund the intranasal option.
“People tend to prefer the nasal spray, just because it's easier to use. It's already assembled,” said Ashley Cid, one of the study’s authors and a PhD candidate in UW's School of Pharmacy.
Using mathematical models, the study found intranasal naloxone would be cost-effective if distributed to all Canadians and could prevent 151 deaths per 10,000 people.
“We're hoping that those findings would help encourage policymakers and raise awareness that the nasal spray, even though it is a little bit more expensive [than injectable], it still is cost-effective and would help save more lives,” Cid said.
Naloxone is available for free at many pharmacies across Ontario.
Patty Vamvakitis, pharmacist and owner at Carriage Crossing Pharmacy in Waterloo, holds a dose of naloxone. (Jeff Pickel/CTV Kitchener)
“There is no downside to naloxone. It absolutely does save lives. It is safe for anybody to use. It's easy to administer,” said Patty Vamvakitis, pharmacist and owner at Carriage Crossing Pharmacy in Waterloo.
“The type of person who would ask for a naloxone kit is not just necessarily a drug user, although we obviously encourage anybody who does use opioids to get a naloxone kit, it can be for the caregiver or family members.”
Morrison hopes everyone considers picking up a naloxone kit, even if they don’t think they will need it.
“We're totally in favor of removing any barriers for people accessing naloxone. It should be available to anyone, anywhere,” she said.
But Morrison adds for those who are comfortable, they should consider training to use the injectable version.
“If we use injectable, it's a little bit less intense withdrawal experience for the folks that you're using it on. So it's just an extra layer of dignity and respect,” she explained.
Ultimately experts agree, any naloxone is better than no naloxone.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Couple randomly attacked, 1 stabbed, by group of teens in Toronto, police say
A man has been transported to hospital after police say he was stabbed in a random attack carried out by a group of teens in Toronto on Friday night.
Ron Ellis, who played over 1,000 games with Maple Leafs, dead at 79
Ron Ellis, who played over 1,000 games with the Toronto Maple Leafs and was a member of Canada's team at the 1972 Summit Series, has died at age 79.
Fort Nelson, B.C., wildfire doubles in size as 3,000-plus ordered to evacuate
The wildfire that sparked Friday and caused evacuation orders for more than 3,000 people in Fort Nelson, B.C., and the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has grown to nearly 1,700 hectares in size, according to a Saturday morning update from the BC Wildfire Service.
Eurovision Song Contest final kicks off after protests, backstage chaos and a contestant's expulsion
The final of the 68th Eurovision Song Contest kicked off Saturday in the Swedish city of Malmo after days of protests and offstage drama that have tipped the feelgood musical celebration into a chaotic pressure cooker overshadowed by the war in Gaza.
IN PICTURES Northern lights dance across the night sky in southern Ont.
From London, to Grand Bend, Collingwood and Guelph, here are some highlights of Friday night and Saturday morning's northern lights display.
Haitians demand the resignation and arrest of the country's police chief after a new gang attack
A growing number of civilians and police officers are demanding the dismissal and arrest of Haiti's police chief as heavily armed gangs launched a new attack in the capital of Port-au-Prince, seizing control of yet another police station early Saturday.
opinion How to use your credit card as a powerful wealth-building tool
Irresponsibly using a credit card can land you in financial trouble, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew says when used properly, it can be a powerful wealth-building tool that can help grow your credit profile and create new opportunities.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
'I am angry': Alberta farmers will continue fight over world class motorsport resort
The rolling hills leading to the hamlet of Rosebud are dotted with sprawling farms and cattle pastures -- and a sign sporting a simple message: No Race Track.