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VANCOUVER — Canada’s plans to restrict six chemicals used to make fentanyl will only increase demands for a more dangerous replacement if other steps to stem a national opioid crisis are not taken, a drug-policy expert says.

Don MacPherson, executive director of the Canadian Drug Policy Coalition, was responding to Health Canada’s announcement that a bill brought in by a senator means the government can act quickly to make the unauthorized importation and exportation of the precursor chemicals illegal.

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Health Canada said Wednesday — International Overdose Awareness Day — that its regulatory proposal expeditiously achieves the intent of Sen. Vern White’s bill.

Regulations on selling, importing or exporting six chemicals that can be used in the production of the opioid fentanyl are expected to be in place by the end of 2017.

Health Minister Jane Philpott said she is also planning a summit for this fall to address the opioid crisis.