THUNDER BAY – A leading Ontario addictions specialist is in the city to talk about generic OxyContin.
Pharmacist Donnie Edwards is meeting with local pharmacies, community leaders and law-enforcement officials about the risks involved with the recent approval for the manufacturing of a generic version of the painkiller.
Edwards also met with officials from Dilico family services.
He wants to bring a message to the federal health minister to change her decision on approving generic OxyContin in the marketplace. The original OxyContin has an effect similar to heroin and was one of the most abused drugs on the marketplace before it was replaced with the supposed tamper-proof OxyNeo.
Edwards says since the removal of OxyContin, there has been a decrease in crime and pharmacy robberies.
He says re-introducing the drug to the marketplace would have a negative impact on everyone.
Edwards added that the purpose of Thursday’s visit was to listen, gather information, and join forces to help block generic OxyContin from the marketplace.
(Thunder Bay Television)
