Federal data indicate the opioid crisis claimed nearly 4,000 lives in Canada in 2017, mainly from fentanyl overdoses. The death toll was 34% higher than 2016, with most deaths involving men aged 30 to 39. Almost 90% of the deaths in 2017 were in Alberta, B.C. and Ontario. Health Minister Ginette Petitpas Taylor outlined a series of measures to address industry's opioid marketing practices, including the government's intent to severely restrict most forms of prescription opioid marketing. Health Canada launched consultations to seek views on limiting most forms of marketing and advertising of prescription opioids, and Petitpas Taylor called on opioid manufacturers and distributors to immediately cease marketing activities associated with opioids on a voluntary basis. She also unveiled a marketing compliance and enforcement team within Health Canada, funded with $5 million over five years, to monitor opioid marketing. Minister Petitpas Taylor also announced $8.9 million in federal investments from:
- Health Canada's Substance Use and Addictions Program for nine opioid related projects; and
- The Canadian Institutes of Health Research for research projects to evaluate opioid interventions.
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La ministre de la Santé, Ginette Petitpas Taylor, annonce son intention de limiter strictement le marketing des opioïdes - Santé Canada