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
PWHL Minnesota defeats Boston to win inaugural Walter Cup
Minnesota won the inaugural championship of the Professional Women’s Hockey League on Wednesday night, getting 17 saves from Nicole Hensley to beat Boston 3-0 in a winner-take-all Game 5 and claim the Walter Cup.
Canadians are eyeing moves to these cities for more affordable housing
Faced with elevated housing prices, half of Canadians in the country's largest cities are considering moving to places with more affordable housing.
B.C. mortgage broker ran $270-million Ponzi scheme, then fled Canada, bankruptcy trustee says
The trustee appointed to manage the bankruptcies of a Victoria mortgage company and its owner has concluded that they committed "numerous offences" and operated as a "massive Ponzi scheme."
Oilers rally to beat Stars, tie Western Conference Final
With the Edmonton Oilers down two goals late in the first period of Game 4, Rogers Place was quiet, fans seemingly bewildered at the early, quick scoring of the Dallas Stars and the slow start by the home team. Ryan McLeod's marker with six-and-a-half minutes in the opening frame left changed all that.
McDonald's says $18 Big Mac meal was an 'exception' and their prices haven't risen that much
McDonald’s is fighting back against viral tweets and media reports that it says have exaggerated its price increases.
'Targeted again': Montreal police investigate after gunshot fired at Jewish school
Police are investigating another building in Montreal's community was struck by gunfire.
Tessa Virtue reveals she's expecting her first child. Here's what Canadians had to say
Canadian figure-skating icon Tessa Virtue is expecting her first child, she revealed via social media Tuesday.
Poilievre says Canadians 'fleeing' to Nicaragua, Liberals say it shows he 'doesn't have a clue'
Liberal parliamentarians are criticizing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre over a new video in which he promotes the idea that some Canadians are 'fleeing' Canada to live in Nicaragua because they can't afford a house in this country.
'Do not drive': Nissan warns Canadian drivers of explosion risk impacting 48,000 vehicles
Car manufacturer Nissan has issued a do-not-drive warning for some older vehicles equipped with Takata airbag inflators, due to the risk of explosion during a crash.