Police authorities in Newfoundland and Labrador have wrapped up their inquiry into a burglary and theft of undisclosed quantities of medication from a children’s hospital in the capital city. The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary validated to CBC News that they were summoned to the Janeway Children’s Health and Rehabilitation Centre at approximately 7 a.m. on June 30.
Const. James Cadigan mentioned that the break-in occurred at a pharmaceutical cabinet housing medications. He refrained from confirming whether more than one cabinet was targeted and refrained from disclosing the amount of drugs stolen. The RNC concluded their investigation, citing insufficient evidence to pursue charges.
Documents obtained through access to information reveal past incidents of law enforcement involvement in drug disappearance from health facilities within the province, not limited to the Janeway narcotics. Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services refrained from public notification regarding the Janeway incident.
An internal email sent to staff on July 7 and acquired by CBC News acknowledged security concerns. The email assured employees that safety measures had been heightened, including enhanced surveillance at various locations, without specifying the incidents or investigations mentioned.
In response to a CBC News request for information on reported controlled drug losses at health facilities across Newfoundland and Labrador from 2020 to mid-August of the current year, data indicated at least 98 instances of missing medication, with some cases involving multiple medications disappearing on the same date at the same facility.
Lorazepam and morphine were noted as frequently missing medications, along with reports of potent painkillers like fentanyl and hydromorphone being unaccounted for. The street value of these drugs varies, with lorazepam going for around $5 per pill and fentanyl ranging from $60 to $500.
An official from the Canadian Society of Healthcare-Systems Pharmacy emphasized the importance of preventing drug theft and loss, especially in the context of the ongoing opioid crisis. Guidelines released by the society in 2019 recommend measures such as safe storage, access control, usage monitoring, and reporting lost drugs, but some challenges persist in implementation.
Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services stated that while they lack a dedicated diversion prevention specialist or committee, multiple programs collaborate to prevent drug diversion and theft within the health authority. The organization ensures compliance with federal and provincial regulations concerning narcotics distribution and emphasizes continuous review and implementation of security measures.
The NLHS has policies and procedures aligned with industry security standards and regulatory requirements to ensure secure medication storage. They reiterated their commitment to mitigating the risk of drug diversions through ongoing security evaluations and best practices.