Health Canada Warns Against Pain Relief Patch

-AHN

07/09/2009 - Health Canada warned medics against prescribing a pain relief patch which is suspected to have caused 52 deaths in the country from 1992 to 2007.

Late last year, a 19-month old boy became sick after a fentanyl patch worn by his mother fell and accidentally attached to the infant. The child, who survived, had to be hospitalized because the pain patch is 100 times more potent than morphine.

It is usually prescribed to patients suffering from severe chronic pain. In Canada it is sold since 1992 as Duragesic. As a generic it was sold across the country as Ratio-Fentanyl and Ran-Fentanyl.

Since the producers of the pain patch made vital changes to the dosage guidelines used to determine the dosage that would be proper for each patient Health Canada said it has no plans to ban the patches.

Health Canada spokesman Stephane Shank, in an email to CanWest News Service, explained, "When used appropriately, an as recommended by the Canadian Product Monographs, the benefits of fentanyl patches outweigh the risks."

If you or a loved one have experienced Duragesic side effects you may be entitled to compensation. Contact the Duragesic attorneys of Ennis & Ennis today for a free confidential case evaluation. Our on staff nurse and lawyers are standing by to answer any questions you may have regarding Duragesic side effects, a possible Duragesic class action lawsuit, or any other type of Duragesic litigation.