Section 56 Class Exemption for System Support Technicians and System Support Transporters of Emergency Health Service Operators in Nova Scotia

Pursuant to section 56 of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA), System Support Technicians and System Support Transporters 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 System Support Technicians and System Support Transporters with the authority to possess, transport, destroy, 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. System Support Technicians and System Support Transporters 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. Record all transactions involving controlled substances, i.e., date, name and quantity of controlled substances stored in ambulances, provided to paramedics (to be carried on their person), destroyed and transferred between a storage facility, hospital or ambulance;
  3. Provide all records specified in (2) to their Designated Administrator for record-keeping purposes;
  4. Report immediately to their Designated Administrator when they become aware of any loss or theft of controlled substances in their possession or in their ambulance or aircraft;
  5. Dispose of any unserviceable controlled substances in accordance with the guidelines concerning controlled substances established by the Nova Scotia Department of Health with respect to witness and record-keeping; and
  6. Obtain controlled substances only from the Designated Administrator of the emergency health service operator contracted by the Nova Scotia Department of Health under the Emergency Health Services Act (Nova Scotia), with which they are affiliated.

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

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2018-01-03