Fentanyl patches stolen from downtown pharmacy, Toronto police warn

Around 40 fentanyl patches have been stolen from a downtown pharmacy, Toronto police said on Friday.

The drug, an opioid painkiller 100 times more powerful than morphine, has been linked to hundreds of overdoses across Canada among people who are usingit recreationally by modifying the patches to get concentrated dosages.

Det.-Sgt. Mike Richmond said police are still looking for suspects, but said it doesn't matter whether drug was stolen by people who intend to sell the products or those who intend to abuse it.

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"The drug is just as dangerous nomatter whose hands it's in," Richmond said.

Police say the fentanyl patches were stolen from a pharmacynear Church and Queen streets, near St. Michael's Hospital, around noon on Thursday. Police released no details about how the medication was stolen.

Anyone who comes across the stolen medication is being urged to avoid touching it and to contact police immediately.

It's not the first theft of fentanyl patches, which are meant to release the painkiller over an extended period of time, in the city.

On Aug. 12, police said about 20 patches were stolen from a car in the Yonge and Finch area.

Toronto police have warned that the drug may be added to other drugs, like heroin or cocaine, leading to the chances of overdoses.