Volume 9 | No. 3 | May / Jun 2021 query_builder 1 minute

New Controlled Prescription Program form available now

drug programs update

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A new harmonized Controlled Prescription Program (CPP) form is now available. Prescribers should familiarize themselves with the new form to facilitate a smooth transition to using it.

The creation of the harmonized CPP form brings together the two different duplicate prescription forms currently required to be used as part of British Columbia’s Controlled Prescription Program—the generic CPP form used to prescribe the majority of controlled prescriptions, and the methadone CPP form used to prescribe methadone for maintenance treatment.

Since the release of the Provincial Guidelines for the Clinical Management of Opioid Use Disorder, prescribers have been using the generic CPP form to prescribe buprenorphine/naloxone and slow release oral morphine for opioid agonist treatment (OAT) which has resulted in inconsistencies amongst prescriptions for OAT drugs, as prescriptions written on the generic CPP form are “void after 5 days,” whereas prescriptions for methadone for OAT are not as they include a “start day” and “last day.” 

Benefits of the new harmonized CPP form include:

  • A consistent approach to writing prescriptions for all 1A drugs
  • Increased patient access to OAT therapy (currently only prescribers of OAT have methadone CPP forms)
  • Reduced administrative burden associated with ordering/printing of two pads for 1A drugs

In addition, the new harmonized CPP form reflects updated OAT delivery guidance. Most notably, the form no longer requires physician authorization for delivery which reflects that pharmacists may use their professional judgement to determine whether or not to deliver OAT to a patient, in accordance with the College of Pharmacists of BC’s Professional Practice Policy – 71 (Delivery of Opioid Agonist Treatment). Instead, the new form allows prescribers to specify when delivery is not permitted.

View a sample of the new prescription form here. The order form for harmonized prescription pads is available here

Note: Registrants may still continue to use their existing prescription pads. The phase-out of the current CPP forms is expected to take place over a period of years rather than months and further details will be provided at a later date.

For questions about the implementation of the new harmonized CPP forms, contact the drug programs department at drugprograms@cpsbc.ca or 604-733-7758 ext. 2629.