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Guest Post: Nurse Practitioners in BC can now prescribe controlled drugs and substances
On July 26, 2016, the Minister of Health amended the Nurses (Registered) and Nurse Practitioners Regulation to clarify that Nurse Practitioners may compound, dispense and administer Schedule IA drugs. The same day, the College of Registered Nurses of BC (CRNBC) put into immediate effect revised standards, limits and conditions, meaning it is now within the scope of nurse practitioner practice to prescribe, compound, administer or dispense controlled drugs and substances in British Columbia.
This marks a significant milestone in the regulation of nurse practitioner practice in BC, and is the culmination of three-plus years of work by our staff, in collaboration with our many stakeholders. Our partnerships with the College of Pharmacists of BC, and the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC, played an important role in helping to put in place clear, concise prescribing standards for NPs that align with both CPBC and CPSBC’s standards. I believe that this collaborative effort only strengthens our collective ability to assure the public of safe interprofessional practice.
Prescribing controlled drugs and substances is a serious responsibility. BC’s public health officer in April declared a public health emergency due to illicit opiate overdoses, and we are also seeing firsthand the profound impact of prescription drug addictions. Responsible prescribing is a cornerstone of CRNBC’s new standards, and we’re committed to ensuring NPs who prescribe controlled drugs and substances meet the same high standards as physicians. We are also profoundly aware of the importance of maintaining a rigorous oversight program.
Collaboration among BC’s regulatory colleges is important to CRNBC. We’re currently working with the College of Licensed Practical Nurses and the College of Registered Psychiatric Nurses to join together to form a single regulator for all nurses in BC. Meanwhile, the BC Health Regulators’ group continues to identify areas where we can collaborate: after all, we are all governed by the Health Professions Act, and we have much that we can share and work towards, together.
As CEO, I look forward to continued collaboration with our many partners, as we work to ensure safe, competent and ethical health care for all British Columbians. Please feel free to email me at [email protected].
Cynthia Johansen joined CRNBC in 2006, as the Director of Registration, Inquiry and Discipline. She became the Registrar/CEO in April 2012. Prior to joining CRNBC, Cynthia served as the Registrar/CEO of the College of Dental Hygienists of B.C.
Cynthia holds a BA in Political Science, an MA in Leadership Studies, and recently completed an MSc in Information Management. She has extensive experience in investigating and reporting on issues of public safety and access to care, and working with government, the public and stakeholders on improving professional practice standards and health profession regulation.
Cynthia is committed to developing collaborative and productive relationships through working closely with registrants, other nursing organizations, other regulators, and government to ensure the public is protected through the effective regulation of registered nurses and nurse practitioners.
- Guest Post