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Prescription Review Program Quality Initiative

Saskatchewan Nurse Practitioners (NPs) are authorized in accordance with provincial and federal legislation to prescribe and/or dispense drugs listed in Schedules I, II and III of The Drug Schedules Regulations, 1997, as amended from time to time. The CRNS participates in the Prescription Review Program (PRP) established in Saskatchewan, and all practicing NPs engage in a reflective practice assessment specific to PRP from time to time. The primary objective of the CRNS’s PRP is ensuring patient safety through safe prescribing practices. 

The Prescription Review Program quality initiative (QI) helps to confirm that the NP’s prescribing practice is aligned with the relevant standards and guidelines. Many NPs find the opportunity to reflect on their prescribing practice as a valuable investment. This program will be launching this fall and you may be randomly chosen to participate. More information can be accessed here (add link to webpage).

Questions can be directed to the PRP Nursing Advisor at prp@crns.ca.

Amendment to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act & the Narcotic Control Regulations

Effective March 31, 2022, tramadol will be removed from the Prescription Drug List (PDL) and listed in Schedule 1 of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA). Tramadol will also be listed as item 19 in the Schedule of the Narcotic Control Regulations (NCR). This means that tramadol will be subject to all the regulatory requirements set out in the CDSA and NCR. The rational to change the listing is to reduce risks to human health, and to facilitate the detection and prevention of diversion of tramadol.

For a full explanation, including impact to practice, please visit:

https://gazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p2/2021/2021-03-31/html/sor-dors43-eng.html

If you have any question about your NP practice, please contact practicadvice@crns.ca.  If you have any questions about prescribing controlled drugs and substances or the CRNS

Prescription Review Program, please contact prp@crns.ca

Prescription Review Program (PRP): Codeine Use in Pediatrics

In response to an updated Health Canada advisory warning that patients under 18 years of age should not use non-prescription pain relief products containing codeine, the Prescription Review Program (PRP), Saskatchewan’s prescription monitoring program, has released correspondence to assist practitioners with the management of pediatric pain and provide guidance in regards to the use of codeine products. 

The update by Health Canada also included warnings regarding the use of prescription cough and cold products containing opioids in patients under 18 years of age. Research has suggested that early exposure to opioids may put young patients at risk for opioid-related adverse events throughout their life. 

Given it’s perceived safety, codeine was previously a preferred opioid drug in pediatrics, it has since been recommended that practitioners do not initiate treatment with codeine if the patient hasn’t been prescribed the drug for a chronic condition in the past. 

Correspondence shared by the Prescription Review Program, elaborates on the above topics further, outlines non-opioid and non-pharmacological options in pediatric pain management and highlights important reminders if an opioid prescription is deemed necessary in a pediatric patient. 

Review this document here. 

If you have any questions, please contact Susan Furman-Pelzer, NP Nursing Advisor PRP (prp@crns.ca). 

PRP ADVISORY – Drug Panel Update

Changes to Prescription Review Program Panel of Monitored Drugs

As a partner to the Prescription Review Program (PRP), the College of Registered Nurses of Saskatchewan (CRNS) is sharing the following update with all Nurse Practitioner members in the province.

As outlined in CRNS Bylaw (2019) VI – Categories of Practice, Section 4 The Prescription Review Program, (2) Panel of Monitored Drugs, the Prescription Review Program shall apply to all dosage forms of the drugs listed in the panel of monitored drugs contained in the bylaws of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan as amended from time to time.

The College of Physicians and Surgeons (CPSS) has provided the following information to their members, which also applies to all NPs. Please be advised of the amendment to The College of Physician and Surgeons of Saskatchewan’s Regulatory Bylaw 18.1(a) Panel of Monitored Drugs.

The highlighted drugs reflect the new additions, effective immediately.

Review the full list of changes from The College of Physician and Surgeons of Saskatchewan here.

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