This consolidation is unofficial and is for reference only.  For the official version of the regulations, consult the original documents on file with the Registry of Regulations, or refer to the Royal Gazette Part II.

Regulations are amended frequently.  Please check the list of Regulations by Act to see if there are any recent amendments to these regulations filed with the Registry that are not yet included in this consolidation.

Although every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this electronic version, the Registry of Regulations assumes no responsibility for any discrepancies that may have resulted from reformatting.

This electronic version is copyright © 2011, Province of Nova Scotia, all rights reserved.  It is for your personal use and may not be copied for the purposes of resale in this or any other form.

---

Pharmacist Drug Prescribing Regulations

made under Section 83 of the

Pharmacy Act

S.N.S. 2011, c. 11

O.I.C. 2010-40 (January 26, 2010), N.S. Reg. 22/2010

as amended by O.I.C. 2013-237 (July 9, 2013, effective August 6, 2013), N.S. Reg. 253/2013

Citation

1     These regulations may be cited as the Pharmacist Drug Prescribing Regulations.

Definitions

2     In these regulations,

 

“Schedule I drugs” means scheduled drugs listed in Schedule I of the drug schedules prescribed under Section 81 of the Act;

 

“Schedule II drugs” means scheduled drugs listed in Schedule II of the drug schedules prescribed under Section 81 of the Act;

 

“Schedule III drugs” means scheduled drugs named in Schedule III of the drug schedules prescribed under Section 81 of the Act;

 

“standards of practice” means the standards of practice adopted and amended by the College.

Section 2 amended: O.I.C. 2013-237, N.S. Reg. 253/2013.

When pharmacist may prescribe drugs

3     (1)    A pharmacist may prescribe Schedule II or Schedule III drugs under these regulations to treat a condition.

 

       (2)    A pharmacist may prescribe Schedule I drugs under these regulations in accordance with the standards of practice to treat conditions approved by the Council.

 

       (3)    A pharmacist may prescribe any drugs under these regulations in any of the following circumstances to maintain or enhance patient care:

 

                (a)    under conditional authority in accordance with Sections 42 and 43 of the Registration, Licensing and Professional Accountability Regulations made under the Act;

Clause 3(3)(a) amended: O.I.C. 2013-237, N.S. Reg. 253/2013.

 

                (b)    to provide or replace a supply, or a portion of a supply, of prescription drugs in an emergency, as determined by Council;

 

                (c)    to renew an existing prescription;

 

                (d)    to adapt an existing prescription by modifying any of the following:

 

                         (i)     the dose of the drug,

 

                         (ii)    the formulation of the drug,

 

                         (iii)   the regimen for the drug,

 

                         (iv)   how long the drug is to be taken;

 

                (e)    to substitute a drug with another in the same therapeutic class;

 

                (f)    in a practice setting approved by Council—such as a hospital, a home for special care or a multi-disciplinary environment—where collaborative relationships or appropriate protocols are established;

 

                (g)    in emergency circumstances identified by the Council to be in the public interest.

Knowledge and understanding of pharmacist prescribing drug

4     A pharmacist must have enough knowledge and understanding of all of the following to prescribe a drug for a condition:

 

                (a)    the condition being treated;

 

                (b)    the drug being prescribed;

 

                (c)    the status of the patent’s health at the time the drug is prescribed.

Information to be provided to patient or patient’s agent

5     A pharmacist who prescribes a drug under these regulations must provide a patient or a patient’s agent with enough information for the patient or patient’s agent to make an informed and voluntary decision regarding the prescribed therapy.

Documenting, monitoring and communicating actions

6     A pharmacist who prescribes drugs under these regulations must do all of the following in accordance with the standards of practice:

 

                (a)    document and monitor all actions taken in prescribing the drugs;

 

                (b)    communicate all actions taken in prescribing the drugs to the patient’s primary care provider as soon as reasonably possible.

---