Impact of a Publicly Funded Pharmacy-dispensed Naloxone Program on Fatal Opioid Overdose Rates: A Population-based Study

Original research
by
Antoniou, Tony et al

Release Date

2022

Geography

Canada

Language of Resource

English

Full Text Available

No

Open Access / OK to Reproduce

No

Peer Reviewed

Yes

Objective

We examined the impact of the publicly funded Ontario Naloxone Program for Pharmacies (ONPP), implemented in June 2016, on provincial rates of opioid overdose deaths.

Findings/Key points

The ONPP is insufficient as a single intervention to meaningfully reduce rates of fatal opioid overdoses during a period in which the cause of these deaths shifted from prescription opioids to highly potent fentanyl analogs.

Design/methods

Population-based interrupted time-series study

Keywords

Harm reduction
Policy/Regulatory
Mortality
Overdose
Wrap-around services