Health Canada CDSA Exemptions Extended

Health Canada has extended the exemptions to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) and its Regulations effective October 1, 2020. The NSPMP changes remain in place to recognize pharmacists as temporary registered prescribers under the NSPMP to enable activities as defined under this exemption.

As such, pharmacists are now enabled to extend prescriptions, transfer prescriptions to other pharmacies within the same province or territory, and practitioners can issue verbal prescriptions for controlled substances.

NSPMP continues to support the faxing of prescriptions for controlled/monitored drugs topharmacies.

All NSPMP changes in relation to this Health Canada exemption are effective October 01, 2020 until the earliest of September 30, 2021, or the date this exemption is replaced by another exemption, or the date it is revoked, or the date the NSPMP Board of Directors revokes.

The NSPMP remains committed to supporting prescribers, pharmacists and stakeholders in their efforts to achieve positive outcomes for patients and members of the public.

Should you have any questions regarding this bulletin’s information, please contact the NSPMP at 902-496-7123 or 1-877-476-7767.