September 30, 2020: Safety Bulletin - Unauthorized Access to Methadone in a Community Pharmacy Contributes to Death
Methadone, a full opioid agonist, is most frequently used as an evidence-based pharmacotherapy for individuals living with an opioid use disorder. Methadone has a narrow therapeutic index and an inappropriate dose can lead to serious harm. As part of an ongoing collaboration with a provincial death investigation service, ISMP Canada received a report describing the death of an individual who ingested a large amount of methadone that had been inappropriately accessed in a community pharmacy. This bulletin highlights the contributing factors identified in the incident analysis and suggests strategies to improve methadone security in community pharmacies. Listen to the Synopsis ... | Read more ...
