Subsection 56(1) Class Exemption for Designated Administrators of Ambulance Operators in Alberta

Pursuant to subsection 56(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) and the Precursor Control Regulations (PCR), Designated Administrators of ambulance operators in the province of Alberta are exempted for medical purposes from the application of the following provisions of the CDSA and PCR:

• Subsection 4(1) of the CDSA with respect to buprenorphine, fentanyl, hydromorphone, ketamine, morphine, oxycodone and pethidine
• Subsections 5(1) and 5(2) of the CDSA with respect to buprenorphine, diazepam, fentanyl, hydromorphone, ketamine, lorazepam, midazolam, morphine, oxycodone and pethidine

• Subsections 6(1), 6(2), 9(1) of the PCR with respect to ephedrine

In respect of this exemption,

• Controlled substance means one of the following substances: buprenorphine, diazepam, ephedrine, fentanyl, hydromorphone, ketamine, lorazepam, midazolam, morphine, oxycodone and pethidine.
• Designated Administrator means a person who is in a managerial or medical director position and is ultimately responsible for ordering, transporting, storing and providing controlled substances for an ambulance operator licensed under the Alberta Emergency Health Services Act and the Ground Ambulance Regulation.
• Advanced Care Paramedic means a person who is registered under the Alberta Health Professions Act, Alberta Health Professions Restricted Activity Regulations, and the Paramedic Professions Regulation to practice as an Advanced Care Paramedic in that province and to administer controlled substances as part of the practice of paramedicine.
• Institution Pharmacy means a pharmacy located within a healthcare facility such as a hospital.
• Medical Director means a person, as defined in the Alberta Emergency Health Services Act and the Ground Ambulance Regulation, who is a physician designated to provide medical control to paramedics, and is in a managerial position with ultimate responsibility for ordering, transporting, storing and providing controlled substances for an ambulance operator licensed under the Alberta Emergency Health Services Act and the Ground Ambulance Regulation or an organization that provides emergency medical services in Alberta.
• Unserviceable controlled substance means a drug product containing a controlled substance that is expired, contaminated, damaged, or any residual controlled substance remaining in a multi-dose vial.

This exemption provides Designated Administrators with the authority to possess, transport, and provide and destroy controlled substances required by Advanced Care Paramedics employed by an ambulance operator with which the Designated Administrators are affiliated.

The exemption is only applicable if the following conditions are met. Designated Administrators must:

1. Take necessary steps, in accordance with guidelines established by the ambulance  operator with which they are affiliated, to ensure the security of controlled substances in storage and during transportation;
2. Order controlled substances from a designated licensed dealer in Alberta, or an institution pharmacy operated by Alberta Health Services or from a licensed pharmacy in Alberta and ensure that any unserviceable controlled substances are returned to a designated Licensed Dealer or an institution pharmacy operated by Alberta Health Services or a licensed pharmacy in Alberta for destruction, in the manner agreed between the designated Licensed Dealer or the institution pharmacy operated by Alberta Health Services or the licensed pharmacy in Alberta and the Designated Administrator; 
3. Record all transactions involving controlled substances, i.e., date, name and quantity of controlled substances ordered, received, stored in ambulances or aircrafts, provided to advanced care paramedics (to be carried on their person) and destroyed by Designated Administrators; 
4. Maintain all records submitted by advanced care paramedics;
5. Report all incidences of loss or theft of controlled substances in writing to Health Canada within 10 days of discovery; and
6. Keep information specified in (3) and (4) for at least two years and make it available to Health Canada upon request.

This exemption will remain in effect until the date on which this exemption has been replaced or the date on which this exemption is revoked.

The Minister may at any time and for any reason revoke or change the terms and conditions of this exemption. Should this be the case, you will be informed in writing and reasons for the revocation or changes will be provided.

This exemption may be suspended without prior notice, if the Minister determines that such suspension is necessary to protect public health or public safety.

Failure to comply with the terms and conditions of this exemption may, among other things, result in immediate suspension of this exemption, and ultimately, in its revocation.

Signed for and on behalf of the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health,

Original signed by

Carol Anne Chénard
A/Director General
Controlled Substances and Overdose Response Directorate
Health Canada

Effective Date: January 11, 2015

Date Modified: 2024-02-02