P.E.I. government, pharmacists look to implement 'patch exchange program'

Government is working with pharmacists to develop an exchange program for trans-dermal patches, says P.E.I.'s Health Minister Robert Henderson.

The skin patches are mostly known for their use in administering nicotine as an aid to quitting smoking. But prescription narcotics are also provided via patch, and Henderson said some of those patches "are getting in the wrong hands."

"They're basically trying to extract the narcotic ... whether it's burning it or melting it down, things of that nature," Henderson said.

"They're getting into the wrong hands for different reasons, maybe it's a case where people are disposing them, and people are getting into the disposal sites and getting that."

In other cases, some people are cutting pieces off their patches, and those are entering the drug trade, Henderson said.

The exchange program would operate similar to the needle exchange. Those given a trans-dermal prescription would have to return their old patches when renewing their prescription, he said.

A bill has been tabled in the P.E.I. Legislature to allow the exchange program to be set up.