OTTAWA — Health Minister Jane Philpott says Canada and the U.S. need to examine why they are the top two opioid-gobbling countries in the world.
Philpott says Canada's opioid problem has worsened over the past three to four years, pointing to escalating rates of use, overdoses and overdose deaths.
She calls it a national public health crisis, and says the federal government is taking steps such as expediting the availability of a nasal spray designed to stop or reverse the effects of an opioid overdose.
Philpott also says she's pleased to see the provinces taking action, including Ontario's recent decision to stop paying for high-strength, long-acting opioids.
She says an opioid summit will be held in the fall to pull together several players to carve out a joint plan to address the issue.
Solutions won't be found in "pointing fingers," she adds, noting opioids are a greater problem in some provinces because of a variety of factors.
