Newfoundland and Labrador's health minister said he was caught off guard by revelations that codeine may be related to twice as many deaths as OxyContin.

"This information is a surprise to me," said Tom Osborne, reacting to data obtained by CBC News through a provincial Access to Information Act request.

Tom Osborne said he will seek advice on what government should do about codeine-related deaths.
(CBC)

Data released from the office of the chief medical examiner shows that codeine caused or contributed to 16 deaths.

By contrast, OxyContin — a powerful prescription painkiller that sparked a 2004 provincial task force that clamped down on its abuse — was cited in eight deaths.

"Obviously, I'm quite surprised.… We've all heard of other drugs such as OxyContin and that drug is one that we are familiar with as the result of the task force," Osborne said.

The data reflect deaths during the years between 2000 and 2005.

Osborne said he will meet with Chief Medical Examiner Simon Avis and officials with the Newfoundland and Labrador Pharmacy Board to find out more about drug-related deaths and what action the government may need to take.

Codeine is available in a number of popular over-the-counter products sold in Canadian pharmacies.

In the United States, however, codeine can be obtained only through a prescription.