Mailing Address
Health Professions Regulatory Advisory Council
55 St. Clair Avenue West
Suite 806 Box 18
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
M4V 2Y7
Telephone and Facsimile
Toll-Free: 1-888-377-7746
Telephone: 416-326-1550.
Fax: 416-326-1549
Drug Regulations for Health Professions
Minister's Question and HPRAC's Approach
The Minister's Question
The Minister has asked HPRAC "to examine the authority given to non-physician health professions to prescribe and/or use drugs in the course of their practice under the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 (RHPA) and the health profession acts. I ask that the Council provide advice specific to each of these professions respecting whether lists, categories or classes of drugs should be prescribed by regulation for the profession, or whether restrictions on prescribing of drugs should be placed in regulation under the respective health profession Act". Further, the Minister has asked "that the Council provide advice on a framework and process for the ongoing evaluation of requests by Colleges for changes to regulations in this regard to ensure that such regulations reflect efficiency, best practices of the profession and provide maximum public protection". HPRAC's Approach When a referral is received from the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, HPRAC determines relevant public interest concerns and questions. HPRAC attempts to understand all perspectives on an issue including those of key health care practitioners, other affected health care professionals, clients and patients, facilities and institutions, advocates and regulators. Each issue proceeds through a multi-stage process where information and responses are requested from and shared with all concerned stakeholders. Initially, HPRAC will independently conduct extensive literature, jurisdictional and jurisprudence reviews, other research and engage in key informant interviews. It will engage appropriate expertise to assist with research and analysis. Its examination of the issues will lead to a determination of additional information required, and the appropriate process to be used. Watch this site for further information.
