About Us
What you need to know about the Nova Scotia Prescription Monitoring Program
In June 2005 the Prescription Monitoring Act and Regulations established a prescription monitoring program to promote the appropriate use of monitored drugs in Nova Scotia and to reduce the abuse or misuse of monitored drugs in the province. The legislation also established a Prescription Monitoring Board to develop and operate the Nova Scotia Prescription Monitoring Program.
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THE NSPMP NETWORK |
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Governance
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The strategic direction of the NSPMP is defined by our Board of Directors. Board membership includes representation from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia (CPSNS), The Nova Scotia College of Nursing (NSCN), the Nova Scotia College of Pharmacists (NSCP), the Provincial Dental Board of Nova Scotia (PDBNS), the Department of Health and Wellness (DHW), and two public members. |
Operations
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Consists of a Program manager, business support analysts, a health informatics specialist, medical consultant support, and pharmacist consultant support. |
Practice Review
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The Program relies on a multidisciplinary Practice Review Committee (PRC) to review and inform complex practice cases. The PRC is composed of representation from each licensing authority (CPSNS, NSCN, NSCP, and PDBNS). |
Prescribing Community
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Each year over 2500 Physicians and Surgeons, 500 Dentists and Oral Surgeons, and 200 Nurse Practitioners issue more than 1.6 million prescriptions for monitored drugs in Nova Scotia (based on 2017 Program data) |
Pharmacy Teams
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These prescriptions are dispensed by the skilled teams at more than 300 community pharmacies across the province. |
Law Enforcement
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We work with local law enforcement agencies to share vital information about potential risks to patient and public safety. |
Partners & Stakeholders
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We work with a range of local stakeholders to help inform activities and analyses related to understanding and improving health outcomes. These include the Nova Scotia Medical Examiner’s Service, the Nova Scotia Take Home Naloxone Program, and academic researchers from across the province. |
Important Information for Patients, Prescribers, and Pharmacy Teams
The NSPMP tracks the utilization of monitored drugs in the province and provides reporting and support services that promote good prescribing practices and inform research activities.
The collection of prescription data will inform prescribers and other program stakeholders about prescribing practices and use of the drugs in Nova Scotia. These learnings can help to reduce associated risks such as interactions with other medications, over-sedation, and potential injury or overdose.
The NSPMP currently monitors various drugs also listed under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (Canada), such as opioids and stimulants, and is adding benzodiazepines as part of its 2017-2020 Strategic Plan activities.
The NSPMP’s Strategic Plan also prioritizes support for the goals and objectives of the Nova Scotia Opioid Use and Overdose Framework. NSPMP will work with partners and stakeholder groups to support the First Prescription Initiative and tailor monitoring approaches to focus on initial prescriptions of opioids and help prevent overprescribing for acute pain.
We have prepared this downloadable “Frequently Asked Questions” document to help explain important aspects of our Program and outline the elements of our 2017 – 2020 Strategic Plan.
Still have questions? Let us know. We’re here to help. Email the NSPMP Team: pmp@medavie.bluecross.ca
