REGULATIONS SUPPORTING PATCH 4 PATCH LAW OPEN FOR CONSULTATION
June 9, 2016QUEEN’S PARK – Making the fentanyl Patch 4 Patch program a life-saving reality across Ontario is now one step closer, Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli said today in response to the regulations supporting Bill 33, the Safeguarding Our Communities Act, being posted for consultation.
Bill 33, introduced by Fedeli, received Royal Assent on December 10, 2015 with all-party support in the Ontario Legislature. The Act is based on the success of a community-led collaboration that requires used fentanyl patches to be returned to pharmacies prior to the dispensing of new patches. This Patch 4 Patch policy was pioneered in North Bay and has been implemented in a number of Ontario communities supporting reductions in the deaths due to fentanyl abuse and misuse.
“This legislation helps communities deal with what is becoming a growing concern from a health, social, and criminal standpoint. The Patch 4 Patch approach is a proven model that will curb the dangerous trend of fentanyl abuse across Ontario,” said Fedeli
To implement the Act’s requirements, proposed regulations have been posted for public consultation on the province’s Regulatory Registry website for a 45-day posting period ending on July 18, 2016. All feedback received from the public will be reviewed and considered in the development of the final regulations.
“I’m pleased the implementation of this important legislation is on schedule and I encourage all interested individuals and stakeholder groups to provide their feedback during the consultation period,” concluded Fedeli.
Link to Ontario’s Regulation Registry: http://www.ontariocanada.com/registry/view.do?postingId=21762&language=en
Patch4Patch website: http://patch4patch.ca/