- Health Canada Exemption Allowing Pharmacist Administration of Controlled Substances
- Ketamine: What Prescribers & Pharmacists Need to Know
- Hospital Practice Direction Project Update: Summary of Pharmacist and Pharmacy Technician Questionnaire Results
- Consultation on Proposed Amendments to the Pharmaceutical Regulation Administering and Prescribing Hormonal Contraceptives Drugs
- Register Today: CPhM 2026 Annual General Meeting
- Professional Development Opportunities & Upcoming Events
Health Canada Exemption Allowing Pharmacist Administration of Controlled Substances
On April 1, 2026, pursuant to subsection 56(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA), Health Canada issued a class exemption that authorizes pharmacists across Canada to administer controlled substances, other than restricted drugs, to a patient, provided the drug has been prescribed to a patient by a practitioner, and provided the pharmacist is authorized to administer the controlled substance under the laws of the province or territory where the administration takes place. The class exemption will be added to Health Canada’s website. The exemption is necessary since pharmacist administration of controlled substances is not included under the current regulations to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, nor the upcoming Controlled Substances Regulations, which will take effect October 1, 2026.
In Manitoba, this means that pharmacists who have the authorization to administer drugs and vaccines by injection may continue to administer controlled substances to patients over five years of age, pursuant to a prescription from an authorized practitioner, and if they are competent to do so. For more information on completing the necessary training and obtaining authorization to administer drugs and vaccines by injection, please see the following page on the CPhM website: Administering Drugs and Vaccines by Injection | College of Pharmacists of Manitoba.
The class exemption was issued by Health Canada following consultation with the provinces and territories on the need to enable this practice. The exemption is now in force and will remain in effect when the new Controlled Substances Regulations come into force.
Ketamine: What Prescribers & Pharmacists Need to Know
Ketamine is widely used in anesthesia, emergency medicine, chronic pain management, and palliative care, with increasing off-label use, including for treatment resistant depression.
As its uses evolve, strong collaboration between prescribers and pharmacists is essential to ensure safe and effective patient care. Clear, complete, and consistent prescriptions, particularly regarding desired formulation, quantity, and route of administration, help prevent delays and reduce risk. Therefore, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba (CPSM) and the College of Pharmacists of Manitoba (CPhM) have developed guidance for physicians and pharmacists, which can be found here: https://www.cpsm.mb.ca/news/ketamine-what-prescribers-and-pharmacists-need-to-know
As an M3P prescription, ketamine requires appropriate clinical judgement. All parties involved, including the prescriber, the dispensing pharmacy, the compounding pharmacy (if the dispensing pharmacy does not have the facilities to compound ketamine or other sterile or hazardous substances, they may outsource to a compounding pharmacy), and the patient involved, must collaborate to ensure consistent understanding of the intended formulation and dosing.
Hospital Practice Direction Project Update: Summary of Pharmacist and Pharmacy Technician Questionnaire Results
The Hospital Practice Direction (HPD) Project’s January/February electronic questionnaire collected information from professionals in all sectors of pharmacy practice about their experiences and knowledge about safety risks associated with hospital pharmacy practice in Manitoba. Results provide a local Manitoba perspective that, combined with Canadian and international evidence, will focus CPhM’s regulatory guidance on aspects of hospital practice that pose evidence-based public safety risks. Focus groups with pharmacists and pharmacy technicians were held in early March to follow-up on some of the results of the questionnaire.
Thank you to the nine pharmacy professionals who contributed their time and valuable perspectives during the focus groups. And thanks to those of you who completed the questionnaire.
To view the full project update and highlights from the results, please visit https://cphm.ca/cphm-hospital-practice-direction-hpd-project/#Publications
Next Steps in the HPD Project: HPD Phase 1: Needs Assessment is transitioning into analysis and report writing. This phase of the project will conclude in May/June with a set of recommendations and plan for development of regulatory solutions addressing priority safety issues within Manitoba hospital pharmacy.
Questions or comments related to the HPD project can be shared using the feedback form at the bottom of the webpage.
Consultation on Proposed Amendments to the Pharmaceutical Regulation Administering and Prescribing Hormonal Contraceptives Drugs
Manitoba Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care (MHSLTC) has proposed amendments to the Pharmaceutical Regulation to enable pharmacist prescribing of specific dosage forms of hormonal contraception, as well as pharmacist administration of injectable contraceptives prescribed by pharmacists.
Proposed Amendments:
1. Amendment to Section 110: This amendment will allow injection-authorized pharmacists to administer a drug that is prescribed for contraception.
2. Added to Section 118: A pharmacist who has completed training approved by the council may prescribe a contraceptive drug product authorized by Health Canada in the following dosage forms:
i. an oral contraceptive,
ii. a transdermal patch,
iii. a vaginal ring,
iv. a solution administered through intradermal, subcutaneous or intramuscular injection.
You can access the proposed amendments here: https://cphm.ca/pharmaceutical-regulation-amendment_consultation-document/
Background:
CPhM and other system partners have been engaging with MHSLTC regarding pharmacist prescribing of hormonal contraception, which would ensure broader access to prescription birth control. The ability for pharmacists to prescribe hormonal contraception is already in place in eight provinces across Canada (BC, AB, SK, QC, NB, NS, PEI and NL).
The regulatory amendment also ensures pharmacist prescribing of contraception is done safely, ethically, and in the public interest. This includes the requirement for completion of a Council-approved training program, as well as the limitation that pharmacists only prescribe drugs Health Canada has indicated for the purpose.
Consultation Period:
The CPhM Council has approved a 30-day public consultation period for these draft regulation amendments. We encourage you to review the proposed changes and provide your feedback. Comments can be submitted via email with the subject line ‘Consultation Feedback’ to feedback@cphm.ca by May 8, 2026.
Register Today: CPhM 2026 Annual General Meeting
The College of Pharmacists of Manitoba (CPhM) will hold its 148th Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, beginning at 7:00 p.m.
The AGM is a virtual event and will be held by webinar. You must register in advance to attend.
Registration link: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7633615016771361109?source=Friday+Five
For more information and full details, please visit CPhM 2026 Annual General Meeting | College of Pharmacists of Manitoba
Professional Development Opportunities & Upcoming Events
Optimizing Prescription Writing: Essentials and Updates in 30 Minutes
- Click here to access the prerecorded webinar
- 1.0 CEU
Pharmacists Manitoba 2026 Conference
- April 18 and 19, 2026
- Click here for more information
- 8.25 CEUs
Canadian Association of Pharmacy in Oncology Conference 2026
- April 23 to 26, 2026
- Click here for more information
- Accredited
29th Annual University of Manitoba Key Topics in Gastroenterology in 2026
- Thursday (Half Day), June 11 & Friday (Full Day), June 12, 2026
- Click here for more information
- 12.0 CEU