Prescribing Opioids and Other Controlled Drugs and Substances

PrescribeIT^® can be an important tool for prescribing opioids and other controlled drugs and substances, as it:

Supports secure clinical communications with pharmacists
Allows you to cancel prescriptions if they are not needed
Allows you to monitor the dispense status of these medications
Ensures the secure transmission of prescriptions from the prescriber to pharmacy
Reduces the opportunity for forgeries, altered prescriptions and other fraudulent use

However, dependent on the Province or Territory (Jurisdiction), there may be limitations when prescribing opioids and other controlled drugs and substances as determined by jurisdictional regulation and/or legislation.

These are summarized below for the Provinces and Territories currently live with PrescribeIT^®.

In addition to the below jurisdictional limitations, for prescribers using EMRs other than PS Suite, Ava, and Med Access (which have completed validation) the PrescribeIT^® team may need to do some initial validation work with you prior to prescribing methadone. Contact your EMR Vendor or PrescribeIT^® lead if you have further questions.

Jurisdiction	Considerations / Limitations
Alberta	For TPP monitored medications (with exception of compounds containing a TPP Type 1 med), if sent electronically direct to a selected PrescribeIT^®-enabled pharmacy of the patient’s choice, the TPP secure prescription form is NOT required, and the electronic prescription serves as the authoritative copy. Prescriber’s are to complete the electronic prescription in PrescribeIT^® including the same mandatory information as otherwise required on the TPP secure form, as outlined in the TPP program guide. PrescribeIT^® cannot be used for extemporaneously compounded prescriptions containing a Type 1 TPP-monitored ingredient at this time. These still require the TPP secure prescription form. For TPP Type 1 medications, if the prescription is unable to be sent electronically via PrescribeIT^® the TPP secure form is still required and the prescription should be processed in the EMR as otherwise done. A printed PrescribeIT^® prescription with barcode should NOT be given to the patient. The patient must continue to have choice in the pharmacy at which their prescriptions are filled (i.e. patients must not be directed to only PrescribeIT^®-enabled pharmacies)
Saskatchewan	There are no regulatory restrictions in Saskatchewan that affect the use of PrescribeIT^® for controlled/monitored drugs.
Manitoba	PrescribeIT^® should not be used for any medication covered under the Manitoba Prescribing Practices Program (M3P), as Provincial policy does not support electronic prescribing of these medications at this time. These medications should be prescribed as per the M3P Practice Direction.
Ontario	There are no regulatory restrictions in Ontario that affect the use of PrescribeIT^® for controlled/monitored drugs.
New Brunswick	There are no regulatory restrictions in New Brunswick that affect the use of PrescribeIT^® for controlled/monitored drugs.
PEI	There are no regulatory restrictions in PEI that affect the use of PrescribeIT^® for controlled/monitored drugs.
Newfoundland & Labrador	For any medication found in the Schedule of Drugs under the Tamper Resistant Prescription Pad Program (TRPP) the required TRPP form must be completed. Do not create an electronic prescription in PrescribeIT^®. Currently, the only acceptable method of transmission through PrescribeIT^® for medications found in the Schedule of Drugs under the TRPP is for the form to be completed, scanned, and attached to a clinic communications message that is sent to the desired PrescribeIT^® enabled pharmacy.