Legislation introduced today, March 31, will amend the Prescription Monitoring Act to reflect proposed changes to the Nova Scotia Prescription Monitoring Board.

In 2005, the Prescription Monitoring Act and its regulations established the Nova Scotia Prescription Monitoring Program to promote the appropriate use of monitored drugs such as opioids and benzodiazepines. It aims to reduce the abuse and misuse of these medications by promoting good prescribing practices and informing research activities.

Changes to the act include: 
— strengthening the Department’s oversight and fiduciary responsibilities
— increasing the number of public board members from two to four to increase diversity, including those living with chronic pain, people who work in the field and people who have lived experience with drug misuse
— shifting authority to the Minster of Health and Wellness from governor-in-council for the appointment of non-voting directors and director responsible for licensing
— minor housekeeping changes

“The governance changes to the Prescription Monitoring Act will help advance our goals of monitoring prescribing practices and ensuring practitioners are accountable for safe and appropriate healthcare delivery,” said Michelle Thompson, Minister of Health and Wellness. “We’re doing this by creating a more inclusive, responsive and efficient way to monitor controlled substances in our province.” 

The changes are based on recommendations from the Prescription Monitoring Program Board Strategic Plan and an independent review.

Additional Resources:
Prescription Monitoring Act: https://nslegislature.ca/sites/default/files/legc/statutes/prescmon.htm

Bills tabled in the legislature this spring are available at: https://nslegislature.ca/legislative-business/bills-statutes/bills/assembly-64-session-1

Source: Release