DEAR EDITOR:
The illegal sale of fentanyl patches is a matter of utmost seriousness. Fentanyl is a highly potent opioid medication used for patients with severe pain. It is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine. Therefore, when properly administered, it is an excellent therapeutic tool available in various forms: patches, sublingual tablets, or ampoules.
In Chile, fentanyl patches must be dispensed with a prescription. It is urgent to strengthen the control of psychotropic and narcotic medications, as well as to maintain updated records of the professionals who prescribe these drugs.
There are still establishments that lack electronic management systems or electronic prescriptions, which prevents complete traceability of medications until they are administered to the patient. Without this, it is not possible to adequately prevent losses or thefts, exposing both our pharmacists and the population.
It is imperative to strengthen oversight, apply effective sanctions, and coordinate with relevant stakeholders so that, working together, we can prevent the availability of fentanyl in the illicit market. Only in this way can we avoid its harmful consequences and protect public health.
M. Soledad Velásquez U.
Vice President, College of Pharmaceutical Chemists of Chile.
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CommentsTO THE EDITOR:The illegal sale of fentanyl patches is a matter of utmost seriousness. Fentanyl is a highly potent opioid medication used for patients with severe pain. It is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine. Therefore, when properly administered, it is an excellent therapeutic tool available in various forms: patches, sublingual tablets, or ampoules. In Chile, fentanyl patches must be dispensed with a prescription check. It is urgent to strengthen the control of psychotropic and narcotic drugs, as well as to maintain updated records of the professionals who prescribe these medications. There are still establishments without electronic management systems or electronic prescriptions, which prevents complete traceability of medications until they are administered to the patient. Without this, it is not possible to adequately prevent losses or thefts, exposing both our pharmacists and the population. It is imperative to strengthen oversight, apply effective sanctions, and coordinate the relevant actors so that, working together, we can prevent the supply of fentanyl in the illicit market. Only in this way can we avoid its harmful consequences and protect public health. M. Soledad Velásquez U. Vice President, College of Pharmaceutical Chemists of ChileMore on:MedicationsTraceabilityOversight