Notice of Change to Prescription Review Program Alerts

The Prescription Review Program (PRP), administered by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan (CPSS), will now be communicating prescribing alerts and potentially high-risk prescribing of PRP medications directly to Nurse Practitioners rather than routing alerts through the College of Registered Nurses of Saskatchewan (CRNS).

The PRP is an educational program that monitors prescribing and use of monitored medications to support safe and appropriate prescribing practices. The change is intended to streamline processes, ensuring consistency and timeliness of communication between multi-disciplinary prescribers.

Examples of alerts that may be communicated directly from the PRP include:

  • Medication diversion concerns
  • Multi-provider or multi-pharmacy use by patient
  • Urine drug screen discrepancies
  • Early medication fills

Each Alert will include potential management strategies to consider. Some alerts will be informational only, while others may require a response directly to the PRP. Response instructions and timelines will be included in the communication. To avoid a referral to the CRNS, please respond to the PRP upon request.

This change does not alter the role of the CRNS in supporting NPs. Susan Furman Pelzer, NP, will continue to serve as a direct contact for NPs seeking education, guidance and support related to prescribing practice. Referrals involving regulatory, conduct or competency concerns will continue to follow established processes.

If you have questions regarding a PRP alert, please follow the instructions included in the correspondence. You may also continue to contact the CRNS at prp@crns.ca for resources and guidance.

Saskatchewan Biosimilars Initiative: End of Initiative Period for Actemra, Stelara, and Xolair

The end of the Saskatchewan Biosimilars Initiative transition period for Actemra, Stelara and Xolair is July 31, 2026.

Starting August 1, 2026, the following reference biologics are no longer eligible for coverage under the Saskatchewan Drug Plan:

  • Actemra (tocilizumab)
  • Stelara (ustekinumab)
  • Xolair (omalizumab)

Under the Saskatchewan Biosimilars Initiative, patients receiving one of these reference biologics must transition to a biosimilar version to maintain Saskatchewan Drug Plan coverage of their treatment after July 31, 2026.

For more information, visit:

Share Your Feedback on EI Caregiving Benefits

The Department of Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) is conducting an evaluation of the Employment Insurance (EI) Family Caregiver Benefits and the Compassionate Care Benefits programs.

Nurse Practitioners are invited to participate in a survey to provide feedback on the requirement for a medical doctor or NP to complete a medical certificate for patients who are critically ill, injured or in need of end-of-life care.

Access the survey to share your feedback. 

The survey takes approximately 10-15 minutes to complete and will remain open until October 2026.

Subscribe to the Drug Programs Newsletter 

Nurse Practitioners are invited to subscribe to unScripted, a newsletter jointly produced by the Prescription Review Program and Opioid Agonist Therapy Program. 

The newsletter provides prescribers with updates to drug programs, practice guidance and case discussions on complex prescribing scenarios.

The June 2026 issue of unScripted is now available. 

To subscribe, email prp@cps.sk.ca. Past issues are available on the CPSS website.

Prescribing Controlled Drugs and Substances (CDS) for Nurse Practitioners

The Prescribing Controlled Drugs and Substances (CDS) for Nurse Practitioners resource has been revised. 

Updates include information on the Prescription Review Program (PRP), controlled drugs and substances (CDS) that can and cannot be prescribed, medical Cannabis, as well as PRP prescription requirements, part fills and more.

For more information, contact the Prescription Review Program via email at PRP@crns.ca.

Nurse Practitioner Responsibilities to Respond to Investigation Information Requests

Nurse Practitioners (NP) are expected to cooperate with investigations processes conducted by regulatory bodies, including but not limited to the CRNS and the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan (CPSS) by responding to requests for information in accordance with the Health Information Protection Act. 

Section 36(1) stipulates that written requests are responded to within 30 days. NPs comply with self-regulation practice standards by adhering to current relevant legislation such as the Health Information Protection Act. Not responding in a timely manner or at all could be considered professional misconduct.

The Canadian Nurse Protective Society (CNPS) or CRNS Practice and Education Nursing Advisors can be contacted for questions related to releasing information. 

Contact CNPS by phone at 1.800.267.3390.


Contact a CRNS Practice and Education Nursing Advisor by email at practiceadvice@crns.ca or by phone at 1.800.667.9945.

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