3.11 Medical Practitioners - BC Prescription Review Program

General Policy Description

The Prescription Review Program, which incorporates the former Controlled Prescription Program, periodically reviews drugs with a potential for misuse.

Under this program, information on certain drugs is downloaded automatically from the PharmaNet database to a drug information database maintained by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of B.C. The College uses the information to identify and review potentially inappropriate prescribing, multi-doctoring, drug diversion and opportunities for physician education.

Policy Details

Drugs requiring use of a duplicate prescription

The Prescription Review Program, in place since 1990, maintains a list of opioids for which a duplicate prescription is required.

The College of Physicians and Surgeons requires that one copy of its duplicate form be retained by the prescribing physician and the other copy be retained by the pharmacy.

Information on the drugs requiring use of the duplicate form, including a list of the drugs, is available in the Prescription Review Program section of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of B.C. website.

Non-duplicate opioids

The Prescription Review Program also reviews the clinical use of non-duplicate opioids and benzodiazepines.

A special prescription pad is not required for these drugs.