February 8, 2018 (Mississauga, ON) – Every day in Canada, seven people die from an opioid overdose and 16 more are admitted to hospital. That’s why every Rexall Drugstore has naloxone kits available in each of its 446 store locations in Canada. Patients do not need a prescription to get a naloxone kit.

In addition, Rexall’s pharmacists have received enhanced training that will enable them to educate patients, family members or friends on the risks associated with opioids and assist in assessing and responding to potential overdose using naloxone. Since December, there has been a 150% increase in the number of naloxone kits that have been dispensed by Rexall pharmacists

“Accidental opioid overdoses can happen to anyone, any time. At a time when deaths due to accidental opioid overdoses continues to rise in all provinces, Rexall has significantly increased access to a life-saving treatment by making Naloxone kits more available at every one of our stores in Canada,” said Beth Newlands Campbell, President, Rexall. “Naloxone kits are not just for recreational drug users. There are thousands of Canadians that currently have an opioid prescription and are taking their medication appropriately. Unfortunately, they too are at risk of an accidental overdose and should have a kit on-hand.”

Rexall pharmacists are playing a more integrated role in the delivery of primary care services, and are an influential member of a patient’s health care team. With the enhanced level of training Rexall pharmacists have received, they are better prepared to provide counselling to patients on the appropriate use of opioids and other controlled substances.

“Our pharmacists are an important and reliable source of information and they can talk to patients, family members or friends not just about the dangers around opioids, but also provide instructions and training on how to properly use a naloxone kit,” added Newlands Campbell.  

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For more information contact:

Derek Tupling

905-501-7894 (O)

647-282-1689 (C)

dtupling@rexall.ca

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About Rexall

With a heritage dating back over a century, Rexall/Pharma Plus is a leading drugstore operator with a dynamic history of innovation and growth. Our focus is helping Canadians improve their overall health and wellness with a wide assortment of products and easily accessible, more convenient services. Operating 446 pharmacies across Canada, Rexall’s 7,300 employees are dedicated to providing exceptional patient care and customer service. Rexall is part of the Rexall Pharmacy Group Ltd., and a proud member of the global McKesson Corporation family. For more information, visit rexall.ca  

Quick Facts

• On average, 16 people were hospitalized per day in Canada as a result of opioids (5,670 total in 2016)^a

• There were 2,816 apparent opioid-related deaths across Canada or 7 per day(2016)^b

• 28% of apparent opioid-related deaths in 2016 occurred among individuals between the ages of 30 and 39 years. ^b

• Accidental opioid deaths have increased by 40% in 2017 vs 2016

• 1 in 170 deaths in Ontario is related to accidental opioid overdose

  a. Canadian Institute for Health Information. Opioid-Related Harms in Canada. Ottawa, ON: CIHI; 2017. https://www.cihi.ca/sites/default/files/document/opioid-harms-chart-book-en.pdf

  b. Health Canada. Map: Apparent opioid-related deaths in Canada. Ottawa, ON: August 2017. https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/publications/healthy-living/map-apparent-opioid-related-death-august-2017.html