
This section is for Nurse Practitioners (NP) looking to become authorized to prescribe Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) drug therapeutics and/or methadone for pain management. In addition, information on the Prescription Review Program (PRP).
Maintenance and Initiating Requirements for OUD Drug Therapeutics and/or Methadone for Pain Management
This section is for NPs seeking authorization to become a maintenance prescriber for OUD drug therapeutics and/or methadone for pain management to clients who are stable on therapy initiated by an approved prescriber.
Requirements for Approval
- Review the Nurse Practitioner Scope of Practice Policy (2.7)
- Practicing NP license in good standing
Applying for OUD Drug Therapeutics
Before applying to the CRNS for approval to prescribe OUD drug therapeutics, you must have completed:
a) one of the following OUD educational courses:
- Advancing interprofessional Management of Substance Use Disorder in Saskatchewan (AIMS-SK) Workshop by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan.
- Provincial Opioid Addiction Treatment Support Program (online & in-person) from the British Columbia Centre on Substance Use.
- Addiction Care and Treatment Course (online) from the University of British Columbia.
- Alberta Opioid Dependency Treatment Course (online) from Alberta Health Services.
b) Completed at least 16 hours of practicum with another OUD drug therapeutics initiating provider.
Applying for Methadone for Pain Management
Before applying to the CRNS for approval to prescribe methadone for pain management, you must have completed:
a) the following methadone for pain management course:
- Methadone for Pain in Palliative Care course (online) by Canadian Virtual Hospice.
b) a one-day internship with an approved methadone initiating prescriber.
Application Approval Process
Complete the following documents and email to OUD@crns.ca:
- NP Practice Assessment: Maintenance Prescriber for OUD Drug Therapeutics and/or Methadone for Pain Management.
- NP Undertaking: Prescribing OUD Drug Therapeutics and/or Methadone for Pain Management.
- NP Maintenance Prescriber Application: OUD Drug Therapeutics and/or Methadone for Pain Management.
- NP Practice: Preceptor Fillable Letter
Once your application has been approved, you will receive written confirmation by email of approval.
NP Surrender Prescribing Approval Process
An NP may surrender approval to prescribe OUD treatment and/or methadone for pain management. If you are no longer requiring approval to prescriber OUD treatment and/or methadone for pain, complete the NP Surrender Prescribing Approval form and email to OUD@crns.ca.
Requirements for approval are subject to bylaw and Council policy changes.
If you have questions, contact OUD@crns.ca
This section is for NPs seeking approval to advance from a maintenance prescriber to an initiating prescriber for OUD drug therapeutics and/or methadone for pain management.
Requirements for Approval
- Review the Nurse Practitioner Scope of Practice Policy (2.7)
- Practicing NP license in good standing
To advance from maintenance prescriber to initiating prescriber, the NP must:
- Demonstrate competence to evaluate the suitability of therapeutic management;
- Practice within a multidisciplinary team;
- Regularly assess and treat clients with OUD and/or clients that require methadone for pain; and,
- Have mentorship and support from an established initiating prescriber.
Application Approval Process
Complete the following documents and email to OUD@crns.ca:
- NP Practice Assessment-Initiating Prescriber for OUD Drug Therapeutics and/or Methadone for Pain Management.
- NP Undertaking-Prescribing OUD Drug Therapeutics and/or Methadone for Pain Management.
- NP Initiating Prescriber Application-OUD Drug Therapeutics and/or Methadone for Pain Management.
Once your application has been approved, you will receive written confirmation by email of approval.
NP Surrender Prescribing Approval Process
An NP may surrender approval to prescribe OUD treatment and/or methadone for pain management. If you are no longer requiring approval to prescriber OUD treatment and/or methadone for pain, complete the NP Surrender Prescribing Approval form and email to OUD@crns.ca.
Requirements for approval are subject to bylaw and Council policy changes.
If you have questions, contact OUD@crns.ca
Prescription Review Program
The Prescription Review Program is a prescription monitoring program that is educationally based and monitors for apparent inappropriate prescribing and inappropriate use of all PRP medications in the province.
How can you reach us?
Contact a CRNS Practice and Education Nursing Advisor by email at practiceadvice@crns.ca or by phone at 1.800.667.9945.