SARNIA, Ont. – Hogan Pharmacies throughout southern Ontario are taking a leadership role in addressing two major health issues – the opioid epidemic and unintentional pediatric medicine poisonings.

Hogan Pharmacy became the first pharmacy chain in Canada to offer SAFE RX Locking Prescription Vials (LPVs).

“LPVs provide a more secure medication storage option for anyone filling a prescription. Secure storage helps prevent accidental access to medications and intentional pilfering, which is a leading source for teen prescription drug abuse and opioid addiction,” said Darryl Moore, co-owner of Sarnia-based Hogan Pharmacy Group.

According to a recent Government of Canada report, there were 2,946 apparent opioid-related deaths in Canada in 2016. In only nine months, from January to September 2017, there were at least 2,923 apparent opioid-related deaths and “it is expected that this count will rise as additional data become available,” added Moore.

“Health ministers and key stakeholders have publicly committed to working within their respective areas of responsibility in a coordinated and comprehensive response to address problematic opioid use. The first pillar of the response is prevention, which includes improving prescribing practices and better informing Canadians about the risks of opioids,” said Dean Miller, president and CEO, Whole Health Pharmacy Partners of Markham, Ont.

“The SAFE RX LPV is an affordable and sensible solution to keep medicine out of the wrong hands. The four-number lock is child-safe, pilfer-resistant and tamper-evident, providing Canadians with peace of mind that they have done everything they can to protect their medicine from both accidental ingestion and intentional pilfering,” said Andy Cipra, chief commercial officer, SAFE RX.

Hogan Pharmacies across Ontario will have SAFE RX LPVs available for dispensing and will be able to encode patients’ desired four-digit codes into the lock right at the pharmacy.

SAFE RX LPVs won the prestigious Product Showcase Award in the pharmacy supplies and equipment category at the National Association of Chain Drug Stores’ 2017 Total Store Expo, the largest pharmacy industry trade show in North America.

About Hogan Pharmacy

Providing pharmacy services to Lambton County since 1951, Hogan Pharmacy first located in St. Joseph’s Hospital. In 1982, Hogan’s relocated to 457 London Road in Sarnia, adjacent to Bluewater Health Hospital. Co-owned by Darryl Moore and Jeff Churchman, the Hogan Pharmacy Group has grown to eight independently-owned pharmacies, all dedicated to the profession with a focus on complete patient wellness.

About Safe Rx

Safe Rx LPVsM keep medicine from falling into the wrong hands. Developed by experts and endorsed by industry leaders, Safe Rx LPVsM protect individuals, families and communities from improper access to medication. The tamper-evident and pilfer resistant locking medicine vials are designed for use in dispensing and are engineered for extremely low incremental fill time and easy workflow adaption. SAFE RX LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Secure Medication Systems LLC. For more information please visit www.safe-rx.com.