CDSA (Controlled Drugs and
Substances Act) and NSAA (Narcotic
Safety and Awareness Act)
What does CDSA stand for? - answer Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
What does NSAA stand for? - answer Narcotic Safety and Awareness Act
Is the CDSA federal or provincial law? - answer Federal law
Is the NSAA federal or provincial law? - answer Provincial Law
What are the two main acts within the federal legislation for controlled substances
(drugs)? – answer CDSA (Controlled Drugs and Substances Act) and FDA (Food and
Drugs Act)
Which FDA schedule includes controlled drugs - answer Schedule G
Controlled substances are further divided into: - answer Schedule I to VIII (1-8) (used by
law enforcement - penalties for manufacturing, possession and trafficking of controlled)
What is a "narcotic"? - answerA narcotic is any substance, or anything that contains any
substance included in the Schedule to the Narcotic Control Regulations (NCR)
What is included within the classification of narcotics called "Narcotic Drugs"? - answer-
1 narcotic
- 1 narc + 1 active non-narc ingredient
- All parenteral narcs
- All products containing hydrocodone, methadone, oxycodone, or pentazocine (HMOP)
What is included within the classification of narcotics called "Narcotic preparations"(also
called "verbal prescription narcotics")? - answer- 1 narcs + 2 or more ingredients in a
therapeutic dose
- Exempted codeine compounds: contain codeine up to 8mg/solid dosage form or
20mg/30mL liquid + 2 or more active non-narc ingredients
Narcotic DRUG Rxs cannot be taken verbally. Can narcotic PREPARATION Rxs be
taken verbally? - answerYES
What is the maximum amount of codeine in exempted codeine compounds (e.g. Tylenol
#1) ? - answerUp to 8mg/solid dosage form or 20mg/30mL liquid
, What does it mean if Health Canada uses the term "in a notice"? - answer- HCP has a
restriction on their practice with regards to controlled substances
A practitioner or pharmacist named in a notice: - answer- Is listed in a letter sent to all
pharmacies indicating restrictions for some or all controlled substances
- Is not allowed to PRESCRIBE some or all controlled substances
- Is not allowed to ORDER some or all controlled substances for their pharmacy
- Is not allowed to be a DESIGNATED MANAGER
Refills are not permitted for narcotic prescriptions. Prescribers must authorize a larger
quantity and may also indicate an interval. Is an interval legally required? - answerNo,
an interval is not legally required. If there is no interval indicated on the prescription, the
pharmacist should use their professional judgement to monitor the patient's adherence.
However, if an interval IS specified, it becomes part of the prescription and MUST be
followed.
What are the two indications for which methadone is prescribed? - answer1) Opioid
dependence
2) Pain
What does a practitioner need in order to be allowed to prescribe methadone? -
answerThe practitioner must get an EXEMPTION from the Office of Controlled
Substances (Health Canada).
There are two types of exemptions:
1) For addiction treatment or methadone maintenance treatment (MMT)
2) For pain
A practitioner that prescribes methadone for both needs an exemption for both (two
separate exemptions)
What are the dispensing requirements for a pharmacy wanting to dispense methadone
(+ within how many days)? - answerThe owner or DM of a pharmacy that dispenses
methadone must provide OCP with the following information within 7 days:
- Notice of intention to dispense methadone
- If accepting new patients
- Names of pharmacists trained to dispense methadone
- Hours of operation of the pharmacy
- Any changes in this status
What training requirements are there for pharmacists working in methadone-dispensing
pharmacy? - answerThe "CAMH Opioid Dependence Treatment Core Course" or
another approved course
Substances Act) and NSAA (Narcotic
Safety and Awareness Act)
What does CDSA stand for? - answer Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
What does NSAA stand for? - answer Narcotic Safety and Awareness Act
Is the CDSA federal or provincial law? - answer Federal law
Is the NSAA federal or provincial law? - answer Provincial Law
What are the two main acts within the federal legislation for controlled substances
(drugs)? – answer CDSA (Controlled Drugs and Substances Act) and FDA (Food and
Drugs Act)
Which FDA schedule includes controlled drugs - answer Schedule G
Controlled substances are further divided into: - answer Schedule I to VIII (1-8) (used by
law enforcement - penalties for manufacturing, possession and trafficking of controlled)
What is a "narcotic"? - answerA narcotic is any substance, or anything that contains any
substance included in the Schedule to the Narcotic Control Regulations (NCR)
What is included within the classification of narcotics called "Narcotic Drugs"? - answer-
1 narcotic
- 1 narc + 1 active non-narc ingredient
- All parenteral narcs
- All products containing hydrocodone, methadone, oxycodone, or pentazocine (HMOP)
What is included within the classification of narcotics called "Narcotic preparations"(also
called "verbal prescription narcotics")? - answer- 1 narcs + 2 or more ingredients in a
therapeutic dose
- Exempted codeine compounds: contain codeine up to 8mg/solid dosage form or
20mg/30mL liquid + 2 or more active non-narc ingredients
Narcotic DRUG Rxs cannot be taken verbally. Can narcotic PREPARATION Rxs be
taken verbally? - answerYES
What is the maximum amount of codeine in exempted codeine compounds (e.g. Tylenol
#1) ? - answerUp to 8mg/solid dosage form or 20mg/30mL liquid
, What does it mean if Health Canada uses the term "in a notice"? - answer- HCP has a
restriction on their practice with regards to controlled substances
A practitioner or pharmacist named in a notice: - answer- Is listed in a letter sent to all
pharmacies indicating restrictions for some or all controlled substances
- Is not allowed to PRESCRIBE some or all controlled substances
- Is not allowed to ORDER some or all controlled substances for their pharmacy
- Is not allowed to be a DESIGNATED MANAGER
Refills are not permitted for narcotic prescriptions. Prescribers must authorize a larger
quantity and may also indicate an interval. Is an interval legally required? - answerNo,
an interval is not legally required. If there is no interval indicated on the prescription, the
pharmacist should use their professional judgement to monitor the patient's adherence.
However, if an interval IS specified, it becomes part of the prescription and MUST be
followed.
What are the two indications for which methadone is prescribed? - answer1) Opioid
dependence
2) Pain
What does a practitioner need in order to be allowed to prescribe methadone? -
answerThe practitioner must get an EXEMPTION from the Office of Controlled
Substances (Health Canada).
There are two types of exemptions:
1) For addiction treatment or methadone maintenance treatment (MMT)
2) For pain
A practitioner that prescribes methadone for both needs an exemption for both (two
separate exemptions)
What are the dispensing requirements for a pharmacy wanting to dispense methadone
(+ within how many days)? - answerThe owner or DM of a pharmacy that dispenses
methadone must provide OCP with the following information within 7 days:
- Notice of intention to dispense methadone
- If accepting new patients
- Names of pharmacists trained to dispense methadone
- Hours of operation of the pharmacy
- Any changes in this status
What training requirements are there for pharmacists working in methadone-dispensing
pharmacy? - answerThe "CAMH Opioid Dependence Treatment Core Course" or
another approved course
