Alberta plans to send part of its extra children’s pain medicine to Ukraine, as the government looks for ways to put the unused supply to good use. CTV
Alberta has started sending out unused children’s fever and pain medicine that was part of a $70 million purchase made during the pandemic. The government has partnered with a Canadian charity to distribute the medicine to vulnerable countries around the world.
Alberta Health Services (AHS) confirmed that shipments have begun and more will follow. AHS spokesperson Kristi Bland said the charity, Health Partners International of Canada, is handling the distribution to areas that need it most.
Where Is the Medicine Going?
Lois Brown, president of Health Partners, said the medicine could reach several countries. Some of it is already heading to Ukraine, while the first batch has gone to some African countries. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith shared this update on her Saturday radio show, expressing relief that the unused medicine would help people in need.
What Happens to the Rest?
Premier Smith also said the government wants to use the rest of the $70 million deal to get new, non-opioid painkillers for Albertans. The province is waiting for Health Canada to approve these drugs, which could be an alternative to drugs like morphine and fentanyl.
Smith said Alberta hopes to finish the deal with the Turkish company Atabay Pharmaceuticals by using the remaining $49 million to buy this new type of medication once approved.
Why Was the Medicine Bought?
The original decision to buy the medicine was made in 2022, during a national shortage of children’s pain relief drugs caused by supply chain problems during COVID-19. Alberta made the deal with MHCare Medical to avoid situations where families had to crush pills, order medicine online, or even travel abroad to find relief for their children.
The first shipment of medicine cost $20 million, but as supply chains returned to normal, Alberta didn’t need the rest. Now, the province is trying to use what remains to help others and recover some of its investment.
Problems With the Shipment
Despite the good intentions, the plan hit a snag. Alberta only received 30% of the full shipment. Of the medicine that did arrive, 1.4 million bottles have been sitting in storage since spring 2023. Health workers found the syrup was too thick, making it hard to use with feeding tubes.
Smith said they’re still working with MHCare to get value from the remaining contract, possibly by importing other medications.
No Clear Answers Yet
It’s not clear whether Alberta plans to turn the children's medicine into other drugs or simply use the contract’s value to buy different products. The province hasn’t confirmed if the medicine itself can become non-opioid painkillers or if new drugs will be brought in under the same deal.
Criticism From the Opposition
Opposition NDP finance critic Court Ellingson called the situation mishandled. He said the government has no clear plan to recover the money spent. While he welcomed the idea of the medicine helping others, he criticized the government for not taking responsibility and failing to explain how the remaining money will be used.
Legal Trouble and Investigations
Meanwhile, MHCare Medical has been mentioned in a lawsuit filed by the former head of Alberta Health Services. The lawsuit claims she was fired for investigating inflated contracts, including those involving MHCare. The company isn’t named as a defendant but denies any wrongdoing.
The claims have sparked multiple investigations, including one by the RCMP.
