FAQ

Can pharmacists fill a TPP from another province?

If the prescriber is authorized to write the prescription in their province of employment, then you may fill it. Which medications various health professionals are permitted to prescribe varies by province. To confirm prescription validity, check with the prescriber’s college in their province of employment.

Are pharmacies required to send TPPs that come from other provinces somewhere?

TPP forms should be sent to their provincial TPP, usually at the College of Physicians and Surgeons of the province that the prescription originated.

British Columbia no longer requires the return of TPP forms.

Saskatchewan has changed its triplicate program to no longer include specially printed triplicate prescription forms. Send photocopies of TPPs from Saskatchewan physicians to:

College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan
500-321A-21st St. East
Saskatoon, SK S7K 0C1

Can physicians fax TPP forms?

Yes. You must make a copy for the patient to sign, then the signed copy can be photocopied (on permanent quality paper) and sent to the College of Physicians & Surgeons.

Can physicians write TPP prescriptions on regular prescription pads?

Physicians are required to write TPP prescriptions on personalized TPP pads. If in an emergency situation, a physician writes a TPP prescription on a regular prescription pad, the pharmacist must verify the prescription with the physician and must use their professional judgement to determine whether it would be appropriate to dispense the medication. If the medication is dispensed, the pharmacist will need to obtain an original TPP form from the physician as soon as reasonably possible.

How often should TPP forms be sent to the TPP centre?

TPP forms should be sent daily if the volume of TPP prescriptions is high; however, a weekly schedule is acceptable. By regularly submitting copies of the TPP forms, prescribers can get up-to-date information on patients, and the monthly reports can flag potential abusers.

If a medication normally requiring a TPP form is purchased by one pharmacy for another for emergency use only, does it require another TPP form?

No. However, an order for emergency use, signed by the pharmacist receiving the medication, must be provided to the pharmacy selling the medication (refer to narcotic regulations).

If a palliative care patient cannot sign for a TPP drug, who can?

An agent of the patient can sign. If one is not available, the pharmacist can sign with an explanation of the circumstances, e.g., patient incapable of signing.

If a TPP form is brought in, but not filled right away, what should be printed on the TPP form?

Enter the date that the TPP form was received at the pharmacy and write "deferred" on the TPP form.

Note: A TPP form must be logged or filled by a pharmacist within 72 hours of being written. Send the TPP form to the College of Physicians & Surgeons after it has been logged.

Where do pharmacies get return envelopes for TPP forms?

You can get return envelopes from the Alberta College of Pharmacy office:

Phone: 1-877-227-3838 / 780-990-0321
Fax: 780-990-0328
Email: acpinfo@abpharmacy.ca.

Are there special veterinary considerations for TPP forms?

Yes. In addition to the standard list of TPP medications, veterinarians must also provide a TPP form for the following medications:

All barbiturate preparations
All codeine-containing preparations
Benzodiazepines and all other targeted substances listed in Regulation under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
Tramadol
Anabolic steroids

ABVMA policy requires that there will be no dispensing of the following products from a veterinary clinic, even if prescribed on a TPP form:

Ketamine
Euthanasia solutions
Sodium pentobarbital
General anaesthetics (e.g., propofol, halothane, isoflurane)
Alpha -2 - agonists

Veterinarians do not require a methadone exemption to prescribe buprenorphine.

Reference: TPP Alberta – Program Guide