FAQ
No. A pharmacist must not prescribe a drug or blood product unless the intended use is:
- An indication approved by Health Canada,
- Considered a best practice or accepted clinical practice in peer-reviewed clinical literature, or
- Part of an approved research protocol.
Prescribing Schedule 2 and 3 drugs is not a restricted activity. It is not mandatory to notify other members of the patient’s health team; however, pharmacists will use their discretion to determine when it is appropriate to do so.
See the Standards of Practice for Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians for responsibilities when selling either Schedule 2 or 3 drugs.The concept of "informed consent" was developed on the premise of two distinct components:
- patients’ rights to determine what happens to their bodies, and
- health professionals’ inherent duty to provide patients with enough information to make an informed decision.
Generally, for a patient’s consent to medical treatment to be acceptable
- the consent must be voluntary,
- the patient must have the capacity to consent, and
- the patient must be properly informed.
Health Professional's Guide to Pharmacist Prescribing
Prescribing algorithm - adapting a prescription
Prescribing algorithm - additional prescribing authorization
Prescription adaptation notification form
Understanding your pharmacist's role in renewing or adapting your prescription
A brochure to help explain adapting to patients