Prescribing controlled drugs and substances (CDS) is within the scope of practice for nurse practitioners.

NPs are authorized to compound, administer and dispense all drugs they have the authority to prescribe.

Before prescribing, NPs must meet specific BCCNM requirements:

• Standards for prescribing
• Limits and conditions for prescribing, specific to controlled drugs and substances

There are additional requirements for prescribing in the areas of:

• Chronic non-cancer pain (pain with a duration of three months or longer that is not associated with a diagnosis of​ cancer)

• Methadone for analgesia
• Opioid agonist treatment for opioid use disorder
• Medical Assistance in Dying

For requirements and information on cannabis

• See the prescribing standards
• Visit the cannabis resource centre

For requirements on Medical Assistance in Dying

• Visit the MAiD resource centre

Resources

BCCNM resources

• CDS prescribing learning module​
  
  

External resources

• PharmaCare: information for prescribers
• Ministry of Health—access to PharmaNet
• Federal Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
• Federal Food and Drug Regulations
• British Columbia Centre on Substance Use
  
• ​Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction
  
• College of Pharmacists of B.C.
• Institute for Safe Medication Practices Canada
• RACE Rapid Access to Consultative Expertise

Questions?

If you have questions about the prescribing standards limits or conditions, submit a request using the Standards Support intake form​.


For questions specifically about Controlled Prescription Program email cpp@bccnm.ca .

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Do you have a concern about an NP's prescribing?

BCCNM recommends

• if possible, you discuss the problem directly with the NP, the NP's supervisor or both.

• if your concern is not resolved to your satisfaction after speaking to the NP and/or supervisor, consider pursuing the matter with the Patient Care Quality Office and/or health care agency where the NP works.

Regardless of how (or whether) you attempt to address your concern directly with the NP or health care agency, you can always submit a written complaint to BCCNM.​​