Opioid crisis update – B.C. to receive tens of millions from federal government
As our country continues to be enveloped in a serious opioid crisis, members of a governmental body gathered yesterday in Toronto to discuss possible solutions.
B.C has filed a suit against 40 pharmaceutical companies who manufacture, distribute, and wholesale opioids. B.C Attorney General, David Eby announced the lawsuit on August 29, explaining that the pharmaceutical companies downplayed the risks involved with opioid-related prescription drugs and put profit before the wellbeing of people. Ontario and other provinces also look at this option.
Today The Canadian Press reports that B.C. will receive $71.7 million from the federal government as part of a bilateral agreement signed yesterday.
B.C. is one of the hardest hit provinces by the opioid epidemic.
The federal health Minister, Ginette Petitpas Taylor spoke at the Opioid Symposium where over 200 participants attended to discuss how Canada should address the crisis.
Studies have made it clear that the opioid crisis has worsened since 2016. A recent study revealed that one third of people who died of opioids were prescribed the drugs. An estimated 4,000 people died from opioid related overdoses in 2017.
