Collaborative Mentorship Network for Chronic Pain and Addiction

Please see the note below from the Health Canada 

The purpose of this email is to inform you that on March 31, 2022, the following regulatory amendments came into force:

• Order Amending Schedule I to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (Tramadol)
• Regulations Amending the Narcotic Control Regulations (Tramadol)

These amendments were published in the Canada Gazette, Part II on March 31, 2021. A delayed coming-into-force period of one-year was provided to give stakeholders time to implement any changes required to comply with the new regulatory requirements.

Tramadol, is a synthetic opioid analgesic that has been marketed in Canada since 2005, and poses the same risks of potential dependency and problematic use as other opioids, such as morphine.

These regulatory amendments will provide additional safeguards around the use of tramadol to help prevent problematic substance use and other harms, while also protecting access to these medications for patients that need them. Now that the tramadol amendments are in force, patients can continue to obtain tramadol pursuant to a doctor’s prescription. Under the Narcotic Control Regulations, verbal prescriptions and refills of narcotics are not permitted.

However, the Subsection 56(1) class exemption for patients, practitioners and pharmacists prescribing and providing controlled substances in Canada, which allows practitioners to verbally prescribe controlled substances, remains in effect until September 20, 2026.

Should you have any questions, you can reach the Office of Legislative and Regulatory Affairs by email at hc.csd.regulatory.policy-politique.reglementaire.dsc.sc@canada.ca.

Sincerely,

Office of Legislative and Regulatory Affairs

Controlled Substances Directorate

Controlled Substances and Cannabis Branch

Health Canada

#Guideline
#Opioids