Home/Health/Keeping B.C. healthy and safe/Prescription monitoring in B.C.

More topics

Prescription monitoring in B.C.

Last updated on June 17, 2026
This page explains what the BC Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) is, why it matters, and how it helps improve medication safety in British Columbia.

On this page

What is the BC Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP)

BC PMP helps improve health outcomes in B.C.

The PMP analytics team analyzes PharmaNet data on medications that can cause harm if not used safely. These include opioids, benzodiazepines and stimulants. The team creates data reports and shares them with healthcare partners.

PharmaNet is a province wide computer network. It contains records of prescription dispenses in B.C. pharmacies since 1995. Access is restricted to healthcare professionals.

Why it matters

Prescription medications can help treat conditions such as pain and sleep disorders. But they can also cause harm if they are overprescribed or misused.

Some medications can lead to dependence, overdose and death. For example, opioids like morphine can help control pain, but if they are not managed properly, people can become dependent or experience withdrawal if they suddenly stop taking them.

Some medications have a higher risk of harm. The PMP focuses on potentially unsafe prescribing of these medications.

Inappropriate prescribing can increase the risk of medication overuse, drug interactions, side effects and related social harms. Inappropriate prescribing can include:

  • Prescribing a dose that is too high
  • Prescribing too early or without a clear need
  • Prescribing when safer options are available
  • Not reviewing a patient’s medication history
  • Continuing prescriptions without regular review

By working closely with system partners interested in prescribing patterns in B.C., PMP can identify potential areas of improvement and engage proactively on data insights that ultimately benefit B.C. residents and communities.

What the program does

BC PMP uses PharmaNet data to understand how medications are prescribed in B.C. This helps identify patterns or unusual cases that may need a closer look.

The team analyzes information such as:

  • How many medications are dispensed
  • Where medications are dispensed
  • What types of medications are dispensed

The PMP shares reports with health partners to support quality improvement. These reports do not identify individual patients or health care providers.

Key activities include:

The program does not:

  • Identify individual patients or providers
  • Receive or investigate complaints about health professionals
  • Develop clinical guidelines
  • Provide direction on how professionals should practice
  • File complaints with regulatory colleges

BC PMP partners

BC PMP works with these partners to address inappropriate prescribing:

Regulatory college partners

What regulatory colleges do

Regulatory health colleges in British Columbia oversee health professions. Their main role is to protect the public from harm and ensure that health professionals provide safe, ethical care.

Regulatory colleges:

  • Ensure health professionals are qualified and competent before they are licenced
  • Set and enforce standards for professional practice and ethics
  • Define what each profession is allowed to do, including restricted activities, and limits/conditions on practice as outlined in provincial regulations
  • Support culturally safe practice, anti-discrimination, and reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples
  • Handle complaints, investigations and discipline when there are concerns about a professional’s conduct, skills or ability to practice
  • Run quality assurance programs to help professionals maintain and improve their skills and address practice issues

Other partners

  • College of Veterinarians of BC (CVBC) – regulates the veterinary profession in BC, ensuring public and animal welfare 
  • Health Quality BC (HQBC) – provides system wide leadership on quality care and patient safety. HQBC provides BC PMP health system expertise and perspectives on improvement opportunities.

Working together helps improve how medications are prescribed in B.C.

PMP goals

Better prescribing improves population health. BC PMP aims to:

  • Improve health outcomes and public safety by sharing statistical insights with regulatory colleges and program partners
  • Promote awareness of prescribing trends and drug utilization through transparent data and analytics
  • Support collaboration between regulators and government
  • Inform policy that optimizes prescribing practices and reduces harm in B.C.

Other ways B.C. is taking action

B.C. is taking action to reduce harm from opioid use, including inappropriate prescribing.

B.C. funds harm reduction and treatment services, including:

B.C. is pursuing legal action against opioid manufacturers and distributors under the Opioid Damages and Health Care Costs Recovery Act. B.C. is continuing investigations into pharmacy incentive practices.

What you can do

  • Ask questions: talk to a prescriber or pharmacist about your medications, especially if you take opioids or sedatives regularly, or at the same time. It’s OK to ask if they’re still needed or safe
  • Review your medications: especially if you’re 60 or older, or you’re using more than one type of medication
  • Know the risks: combining opioids, sedatives, or alcohol increases health risks, including risk of overdose
  • Explore alternatives: ask about non-medication options or alternative therapies like counselling or physical therapy
  • Consider carrying a take-home naloxone kit so you’re prepared to help in an emergency: Take Home Naloxone (THN) kits are available at many pharmacies
  • Sign up for toxic drug alerts: Text JOIN to 253787 or visit Help Starts Here to receive toxic drug alerts for your region​
  • For same-day support with opioid use disorder: Call the Opioid Treatment Access Line at 1-833-804-8111 (9 am – 4 pm, 7 days/week)

Report a concern about a prescriber or pharmacist

The PMP does not investigate complaints about health professionals. Regulatory colleges are responsible for this work. Colleges ensure that their registered professionals provide safe and effective care.

If you want to file a complaint about a health professional, please contact their college:

Resources