On Tuesday, Councillor David Ferreira’s motion calling for a provincial review of for-profit addiction treatment pharmacies received unanimous support from colleagues on the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee (SPPC). “This is clearly leading to [drug] diversion,” Ferreira told colleagues on the committee. “[As] if we were to expect someone who is suffering from addiction to take a prescription and follow the label on the bottle with no aftercare, with no wraparound supports, with nothing.” The motion requests that the mayor advocate to the provincial government and other relevant regulatory bodies for an immediate review of what Ferreira has dubbed, “high-volume, for-profit addiction treatment and dispensing models operating in Ontario.” The motion adds, “These sites are dispensing hydromorphone through provincially funded mechanisms, including OHIP, under policy frameworks that do not require sufficient aftercare or ongoing oversight.” More than two dozen letters supporting the motion were included on the committee meeting’s agenda. Peter Bergmanis from the London Health Coalition waited for hours in the public gallery to address the for-profit dispensing of addiction treatment drugs. “This is the moment for the City of London to step-up for the public good,” he said. Mayor Josh Morgan seconded Ferreira’s motion. “There are vulnerable individuals who need help in our community, and they are not getting help through the current model,” he added. Last Wednesday, CTV News videotaped the happenings outside MedPoint Care Pharmacy on Dundas Place after it opened for the day, including people passed out in doorways, hand-to-hand exchanges of small unidentifiable objects, and a man walking around with a sheathed knife on his hip. In a written statement sent last Thursday, Medpoint Care Pharmacy maintains that its approach is grounded in patient safety, respect, and adherence to established pharmacy and regulatory standards. It reads in part, “We are committed to maintaining a safe and respectful environment for everyone in and around our pharmacy. We have clear operational protocols in place, maintain consistent staff presence, and take a proactive approach to addressing concerns and ensuring orderly conduct.” Pharmacies have been dispensing medications to treat addiction for many years. However, some pharmacies have adopted a newer treatment model that includes a combination of in-person and virtual care by doctors who can write prescriptions. “This really is a gap and something we need to move on,” Coun. Hadleigh McAlister told colleagues on the committee. “We know that diversion of drugs is an issue. We’ve heard that, and LPS [London Police Service] has been quite adamant about this as well. And if this is a loophole that we can close, we absolutely should take every opportunity to do that.” However, Coun. Susan Stevenson criticized the motion for attempting to sidestep a debate about safer supply and harm reduction in London. “I don’t know what this is asking for?” Stevenson said. “Why does it not say we’re asking [the province] to stop safer supply?” Ferreira argued the debate shouldn’t be politicized around the issue of safer supply and remain focused on the problems being created by the for-profit pharmacy model. The committee unanimously supported the motion (12-0) to advocate for a provincial review. The mayor said he’s already spoken with other municipalities and healthcare institutions about the situation. “In every discussion I’ve had so far related to this, they all seem to be moving towards the same page saying this is not working,” Morgan said. Council will make a final decision about the motion on April 28.
