Section 56 Class Exemption for Designated Administrators of Emergency Health Service Operators in Nova Scotia

Pursuant to section 56 of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA), Designated Administrators of emergency health service operators contracted by the Nova Scotia Department of Health under the Emergency Health Services Act (Nova Scotia) are exempted for medical purposes from the application of the following provisions of the CDSA and its regulations:

In respect of this exemption,     

This exemption provides the aforementioned Designated Administrators with the authority to possess, transport, and provide controlled substances required by paramedics in accordance with relevant policies established by the Nova Scotia Department of Health, and subject to the terms and conditions of this exemption.

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

  1. Take necessary steps, in accordance with policies established by the Nova Scotia Department of Health, to ensure the security of controlled substances in storage and during transportation;
  2. Order, with the approval of a Medical Oversight Physician, controlled substances from the Nova Scotia Provincial Drug Distribution Program;
  3. Record all transactions involving controlled substances, i.e., date, name and quantity of controlled substances ordered, received, stored in ambulances or aircrafts, and provided to paramedics (to be carried on their person);
  4. Maintain all records with respect to controlled substances submitted by paramedics, System Support Technicians and System Support Transporters;
  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 revoked. 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 Health

Original signed by

Julie Thompson
Director, Office of Controlled Substances
Controlled Substances Directorate
Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch

Effective Date: June 14, 2016

Page details

2018-01-03