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Prescribing

NP prescribing of controlled drugs and substances

Prescribing controlled drugs and substances (CDS) is within the scope of practice for nurse practitioners.


NPs are authorized to compound, administer and dispense all drugs they have the authority to prescribe.

Before prescribing, NPs must meet specific BCCNM requirements:

There are additional requirements for prescribing in the areas of:

For requirements and information on cannabis

For requirements on Medical Assistance in Dying

​​​Need help or support?​

For further guidance on understanding and applying the standards of practice, contact our team by completing the Standards Support intake form.​

​For questions specifically about Controlled Prescription Program email cpp@bccnm.ca.
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    Do you have a concern about an NP's prescribing?

    When you have a concern about an NP's practice, we recommend:

    • if possible, you discuss the problem directly with the NP, with their supervisor, or both.

    • you consider pursuing the matter with the Patient Care Quality Office and/or health care agency where the NP works ​if your complaint is not resolved to your satisfaction after speaking to the NP and/or their supervisor.

    Independent practitioners

    Some NPs are independent practitioners, meaning they do not have an employer or supervisor/manager. 

    When you have a concern about an individual's practice in this situation, we recommend:

    • if possible, discuss the problem directly with the NP.

    • If the problem occurred within a hospital setting, you consider pursuing the matter with the Patient Care Quality Office and/or health care agency where the problem occurred .​​

    ​Regardless of how (or whether) you attempt to address your concern directly with the NP or health care agency, you can always submit a written complaint to BCCNM.​​

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900 – 200 Granville St
Vancouver, BC  V6C 1S4
Canada

info@bccnm​.ca
604.742.6200​
​Toll-free 1.866.880.7101 (within Canada only) ​


We acknowledge the rights and title of the First Nations on whose collective unceded territories encompass the land base colonially known as British Columbia. We give specific thanks to the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ speaking peoples the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) and sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations and the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh-ulh Sníchim speaking Peoples the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation), on whose unceded territories BCCNM’s office is located. We also give thanks for the medicines of these territories and recognize that laws, governance, and health systems tied to these lands and waters have existed here for over 9000 years.

We also acknowledge the unique and distinct rights, including rights to health and wellness, of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples from elsewhere in Canada who now live in British Columbia. As leaders in the settler health system, we acknowledge our responsibilities to these rights under international, national, and provincial law.​