Province Combating Prescription Drug Abuse

Nova Scotia took the next step today, July 5, in making the province's prescription monitoring program one of the best in Canada, proclaiming the Prescription Monitoring Act.

Executive Council also approved prescription monitoring regulations and appointed members to the Nova Scotia Prescription Monitoring Board.

"This monitoring program is a major part of an integrated response to dealing with prescription drug abuse in our communities," said Jamie Muir, acting Minister of Health. "With health providers, police, community members, and governments working together, we hope to curb the abuse and misuse of these potentially addictive medications."

The board's mandate is to promote the appropriate use of monitored drugs, and to reduce their abuse and misuse through education and information sharing with doctors, dentists, pharmacists, and law enforcement agencies.

The board has representatives from the Nova Scotia College of Physicians and Surgeons, the Nova Scotia College of Pharmacists, and the Provincial Dental Board of Nova Scotia, two non-voting members from the Department of Health and two members representing the public interest.

The members appointed are:

• Dr. Rodney Wilson, nominated by the College of Physicians and Surgeons;
• Dr. Marco Chiarot, nominated by the Provincial Dental Board;
• Ruth Shea, nominated by the College of Pharmacists;
• Susan Wedlake, registrar, College of Pharmacists;
• Dr. W.A. MacInnis, registrar, Provincial Dental Board;
• Dr. Kevin Keating, deputy registrar, College of Physicians and Surgeons;
• Patrick King and Ronald Surette will represent the public interest; and
• Brian Wilbur, director of addictions services, and Marina Keeping, manager of pharmacare administration, are non-voting members appointed by the Department of Health.

"We are extremely fortunate to have these individuals serve on the Prescription Monitoring Board. We appreciate their participation and service to Nova Scotians," said Mr. Muir.

Medavie Blue Cross will continue to administer the monitoring program on behalf of the board.

In the fall of 2004, the Department of Health allocated funding for Medavie Blue Cross to develop a computerized information system to enhance the program's ability to track prescriptions across the province. The system is now ready to be used. Over the next several months, pharmacies across Nova Scotia will link into the prescription monitoring program so that prescription information can be captured instantly.