Subsection 56(1) Class Exemption for Intermediate Care Paramedics, Advanced Care Paramedics and Critical Care Paramedics in Saskatchewan

Pursuant to subsection 56(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA), paramedics with the title of Intermediate Care Paramedics, Advanced Care Paramedics and Critical Care Paramedics in the province of Saskatchewan and employed by an ambulance service/air ambulance service operator licensed under The Ambulance Act (Saskatchewan) are exempted for medical purposes from the application of the following provisions of the CDSA:

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

In respect of this exemption,

• Controlled substance means one of the following substances: diazepam, fentanyl, hydromorphone, ketamine, lorazepam, midazolam, morphine and pethidine.
• Designated Administrator means a person who is in a managerial position and is ultimately responsible for ordering, transporting, storing and providing controlled substances for an ambulance service/air ambulance service operator licensed under The Ambulance Act (Saskatchewan).
• Paramedic means a person who is registered and entitled under The Paramedics Act (Saskatchewan) to practice as an Intermediate Care Paramedics or Advanced Care Paramedics or Critical Care Paramedics in that province and to administer controlled substances as part of the practice of paramedicine, and who is employed by an ambulance service/air ambulance service operator licensed under The Ambulance Act (Saskatchewan).
• 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 the aforementioned paramedics with the authority to possess, transport, and administer controlled substances when providing pre-hospital care to patients within their scope of practice as set out in the Paramedic Clinical Practice Protocols established by the  Saskatchewan College of Paramedics, and subject to the terms and conditions of this exemption.

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

1. Administer the controlled substances in accordance with the direction of a practitioner and/or protocols relevant to the use of controlled substances approved by the Saskatchewan College of Paramedics;
2. Keep a record of the following information for a two-year period beginning on the day on which the record is made and provide such a record to the Designated Administrator for record-keeping purposes;
   1. the name and quantity of any controlled substance purchased, received and returned by them and the date on which it was purchased, received and returned;
   2. the name and address of the person from whom the controlled substance was purchased, received and returned to; and
   3. particulars of the use to which the controlled substance was put.
3. Take necessary steps, in accordance with guidelines established by the Ministry of Health or the organization that provides emergency medical services with which they are affiliated, to ensure the security of the controlled substances on their person and in their ambulance, aircraft or any vehicle designated by the ambulance service or air ambulance service;
4. Report immediately, to the Designated Administrator,  when they become aware of any loss or theft of controlled substances in their possession or in their ambulance, aircraft or any vehicle designated by the ambulance service or air ambulance service;
5. Return any unserviceable controlled substances to the Designated Administrator who supplies the controlled substances; and
6. Obtain controlled substances only from the Designated Administrator of the ambulance service/air ambulance service with which they are affiliated.

This exemption replaces the "Section 56 Class Exemption for Emergency Medical Technicians-Advanced and Emergency Medical Technicians-Paramedic in Saskatchewan" that was issued on April 30, 2010. 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.

A suspension of this exemption without prior notice may be ordered if the Minister deems that such a suspension is necessary to protect public health, safety or security.

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

Jennifer Saxe
Director General
Controlled Substances Directorate
Health Canada

Effective Date: April 30, 2010

Updated on: April 9, 2021