Naloxone distribution 'not adequate' in Manitoba, health minister says

Manitoba's health minister says he wants to make naloxone, the fentanyl overdose antidote, more widely available in the province.

Kelvin Goertzen said he's asked officials to look at changes to how the life-saving prescription drug is distributed, as concerns grow about the dangers of fentanyl.

"The provincial distribution system for the naloxone, I don't believe is adequate," he said during question period Wednesday.

"I'd like to see changes to it. I've asked my department to look for those changes."

Goertzen was responding to questions from Liberal MLA Jon Gerrard, who wanted to know what the Progressive Conservative government is doing to improve the distribution of naloxone.

A government spokesperson told CBC News the minister is "currently pursuing an expansion of the naloxone program," and more details will become available in the coming weeks.

Naloxone is known to counteract the effects of a fentanyl overdose, bringing users of the potent synthetic opioid back from the brink of death.

Winnipeg police are investigating the possibility that fentanyl or carfentanil — an opioid 100 times more toxic than fentanyl — was involved in the deaths of two men whose bodies were found inside a car last week.

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Fire and paramedic crews in the city currently carry naloxone with them, while the Winnipeg Police Service recently announced it plans to equip officers with the antidote.

Street Connections has distributed more than 100 naloxone kits to people at risk through a pilot program this year. Staff there said the antidote has been used on at least eight people who overdosed so far this year, but more naloxone kits are needed.

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Goertzen said a better system is needed to ensure naloxone is available to those who need it.

"I'm not satisfied with the distribution system within Manitoba for the drug that can help to alleviate an overdose. I know the health ministers will be discussing this next week when we meet," he said.

The federal government is also looking at a national strategy to distribute naloxone, he said.