The Alberta government has introduced Bill 29—the Health Statutes Amendment Act, 2026—which would bring changes to several pieces of legislation, including the Pharmacy and Drug Act (PDA). The amendments to the PDA would allow pharmacists to provide authorized prescribers a limited supply of certain prescription medications used in addiction treatment, including opioid agonist therapy (OAT) medications such as Suboxone® and Sublocade®, in their clinics for immediate use.
If passed and subject to the establishment of standards, pharmacists at licensed pharmacies would be enabled to sell OAT medications to authorized prescribers for use in their practices in certain situations. Pharmacists would be able to recognize written orders and sell a small supply of OAT medications directly to an authorized prescriber (e.g., physician or nurse practitioner). The authorized prescriber would be responsible for the security of the supply. Under the direction of the authorized prescriber, medication from this stock could be used immediately to start treatment for patients.
Currently, OAT medications are only available by prescription for a named patient. In some rural, remote, and Indigenous communities, long travel distances to pharmacies can delay treatment when time matters most. The proposed amendments to the PDA will help people begin treatment sooner by providing an initial dose from the authorized prescriber and then having their regular community pharmacy provide an ongoing supply. Faster access to medication can be critical in stabilizing patients and supporting recovery.
