[bunz50]

Hello all, this is a news article from our London Free Press newspaper, as of March 1st the addictive painkiller Oxycontin is no longer produced in Canada, and is being replaced with a new formula called OxyNeo. While it will offer the same relief to patients trying to manage pain, it has been reformulated to thwart misuse. Like Oxycontin, OxyNeo is a long-acting oxycodone, but the new formula is touted as more difficult to abuse. The powder will become a thick gel when mixed with water or alcohol, preventing the extraction of the oxycodone.
The coating is harder making the pill difficult to crush and if altered an available agent neutralizes the effects of active oxycodone. Makes me sad in knowing that in Ontario alone (2009)there were 143 deaths related to Oxycodone. I knew that this opioid was abused but not to this extent. Hopefully there will be lots of help and relief for those who are addicted to Oxys. Methadone clinics I am assuming will be busy.

[Dr. Smith]

That sounds very much like the reformulated Oxycontin OP dispensed in the US. It took the addicts all of about a week to figure out how to circumvent the reformulation. Addicts will always find a way to circumvent, or substitute, or find another source or drug of choice. Pain patients usually have fewer choices/alternatives. They will have to pay more for higher doses of less therapeutic medications.

I'm curious how this timing relates to Canadian patent expiration dates.

Doc