Methadone alternative under review on P.E.I.

The P.E.I. government is reviewing the role of the drug Suboxone, a treatment for people with opioid addiction, in provincial programs.

Some doctors, including Dr. Don Ling, the head of P.E.I.'s methadone program, say Suboxone is safer, and can be more effective for some young people in treating opioid addiction than methadone. But the province will only pay for it under limited circumstances, such as when a patient has a heart condition. The cost of methadone is always covered.

Health Minister Doug Currie says that policy is now under review.

"My objective is not only about Suboxone," said Currie.

"It's about ways that we can address wait times for people on the methadone program, whether it be redirecting them on the advice of physicians like Dr. Don Ling to use Suboxone. Those are all discussions that are being had."

Currie said he's directed staff to look at the latest research on Suboxone, and he is aware that other provinces are doing the same.