The arrival of yet another pharmacy in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside has renewed questions about British Columbia’s “safer supply” program from the Opposition BC Conservatives.
Flash Pharmacy and Medical Centre has been given approval to open at 66 West Hastings, and will be the sixth in a tight geographic area.
It comes less than a year after a leaked Ministry of Health document revealed more than 60 pharmacies in the neighbourhood were under investigation on allegations of “offering incentives to clients” in order to secure dispensing fees of up to $11,000, and that a “significant portion” of prescribed opioids were being diverted to the illicit market.
The document also alleged doctors, assisted living residences and organized criminals were participating in the schemes.
BC Conserv