Playing catch up: Health-care workers urge B.C. to provide free nasal naloxone

It’s easier to use than the injectable form of the overdose reversal drug, but it’s not widely available in B.C. Why?

British Columbia was the first province to grapple with the lethality of toxic drugs, but is now lagging behind Ontario and Quebec in providing a free, easy-to-use antidote — prompting health-care workers to urge officials to catch up.

One year ago, B.C. began a “short-term” pilot project to evaluate nasal naloxone, to compare it to the injection version of the antidote currently available for free through pharmacies and other government-supported providers. It still hasn’t decided what to do with the project’s findings.

“What’s the hold-up?” asked Ian Tait, spokesperson for the Ambulance Paramedics of B.C. “This seems to be one of those things where other provinces have really invested in this because they’ve seen the benefit.”

Corey Ranger, president of the Harm Reduction Nurses Association, pointed out that someone who’s panicking or anxious treating a loved one has a much easier time when they’re not trying to provide an injection.

“Anything that increases the likelihood of somebody carrying in the naloxone kit, of being prepared to use it, of having the confidence to use it when an actual emergency arises, I don’t think there’s anybody on any end of the political spectrum who would be opposed to that,” he said.

“We should be making this a priority.”

What Ontario and Quebec are doing

Canada’s two most populous provinces have been providing the nasal spray version for years, recognizing that its intuitive use — like the application of sinus medication — makes it far easier to use than the injectable form, which requires training and a steady hand.

While the inhalable spray is more expensive, a University of Waterloo analysis found it’s still a cost-effective method to save lives.

Nasal naloxone lasts twice as long as the injectable, with an expiry date four years into the future rather than two.

The province of Ontario has been very proactive with its inhalable kits, helping make them available and free everywhere from transit stations to some public libraries.

In B.C., the overdose antidote is only free in injection form, though some organizations like the City of Burnaby are providing the easy-to-use version for free.

The ministry responds

CTV News has learned that B.C.’s Ministry of Health doesn’t track how many doses of naloxone are thrown out as expired before they’re distributed for use.

When asked about whether she’s decided to approve and facilitate free doses of the inhalable version, the minister of health was cagey.

“I’ll have more to say about that soon,” said Josie Osborne. “We want to make sure that it gets into the hands of the people who need it most.”

When pressed by CTV News as to why it was taking so long, Osborne agreed that nasal naloxone is easier to use and that both forms of the drug save lives, and reiterated that she’ll have more to say “soon.”