Quebec to offer overdose-reversal drug naloxone free of charge in pharmacies
MONTREAL — A drug used to temporarily reverse the effect of fentanyl overdoses will be offered free of charge in Quebec pharmacies.
The province will follow the example of at least Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island in offering the life-saving naloxone without people requiring a prescription.
It is an attempt to stem a full-blown problem as the number of cases rises in Quebec — with another possible two occurring Wednesday night.
Earlier in the day, Public Health Minister Lucie Charlebois and Health Minister Gaetan Barrette announced that naloxone would be made widely available.