APPENDIX 4: Narcotic, Controlled Drugs, Benzodiazepines & Other Targeted Substances

Table I summarizes the requirements for prescribing, dispensing & record keeping for narcotic, controlled drugs, benzodiazepines and
other targeted substances. This information is not intended to present a comprehensive review, the reader is therefore encouraged to
seek additional and confirmatory information (e.g. Controlled Drugs & Substances Act, Narcotic Control Regulations, Controlled Drug
Regulations, Benzodiazepines & Other Targeted Substances Regulations) .
Reviewed 2002 by the Office of Controlled Substances, Health Canada.

Table I - Narcotic, Controlled Drugs, Benzodiazepines & Other Targeted Substances Summary

Classification and Description Legal requirements

Narcotic Drugs (Straight, Schedule “N” Written Rx required
drugs Verbal Rx not permitted
1 narcotic (e.g.. cocaine, codeine, Refills not permitted
hydromorphone, morphine)
Written Rx may be prescribed to be dispensed in divided portions (part fills)
1 narcotic; + 1 active non-narcotic ingredient
(e.g Cophylac, Empracet-30, Tylenol # 4) For part fills copies of Rxs should be made in reference to the original Rx. Indicate on
the original Rx: the new Rx number, the date of the part fill, the quantity dispensed &
All narcotics for parenteral use (e,g.. fentanyl, the pharmacist’s initials.
pethidine)
Transfers not permitted
All products containing diamorphine
(hospitals only), hydrocodone, oxycodone, Record & retain all documents pertaining to all transactions in a manner that permits an
methadone or pentazocine audit.

Dextropropoxyphene, propoxyphene Sales reports required except for dextro- propoxyphene, propoxyphene.
(straight) (e.g. Darvon-N, 642) Report any loss or theft of narcotic drugs as well as forged Rxs within 10 days to the
Dermol, Dilaudid, Duragesic, Leritine, Office of Controlled Substances at the address indicated on the forms
Lomotil, Robidone, Percodan, Percocet,
Tussioner, Talwin, Novahistex-DH,
Numorphan
Narcotic Preparations
Verbal prescription narcotics: 1 narcotic +
2 or more active non-narcotic ingredients in a
recognized therapeutic dose (e.g., Cophylac
Expectorant, Darvon-N Compound, Fiorinal
with Codeine, 692, 282, 292, Tylenol # 2 & #
3)
Exempted codeine compounds contain
codeine up to 8 mg/solid dosage form or 20
mg /30 mL liquid + 2 or more active non-
narcotic ingredients (eg. Atasol-8. Robitussin
with Codeine)
Cheracol
Controlled Drugs
Part l
e.g., amphetamines (Dexedrine),
methylphenidate (Ritalin), pentobarbital
(Nembutal), secobarbital (Seconal, Tuinal)
preparations: 1 controlled drug + 1 or more
active noncontrolled drug(s) (Cafergot-PB)
Written or verbal Rx permitted
Refills not permitted
Written or verbal Rx may be prescribed to be dispensed in divided portions (part fills)
For part fills copies of Rxs should be made in reference to the original Rx. Indicate on
the original Rx: the new Rx number, the date of the part fill, the quantity dispensed &
the pharmacist’s initials.
Transfers not permitted
Exempted codeine compounds when dispensed pursuant to a Rx follow the same
regulations as for verbal Rx narcotics.
Record & retain all documents pertaining to all transactions in a manner that permits an
audit.
Sales reports not required.
Report any loss or theft of narcotic drugs as well as forged Rxs within 10 days to the
Office of Controlled Substances at the address indicated on the forms
Written or verbal Rx permitted
Refills not permitted for verbal Rx
Refills permitted for written Rxs if the prescriber has indicated in writing the number of
refills & dates for, or intervals between, refills
Written or verbal Rx may be prescribed to be dispensed in divided portions (part fills)
For refills & part fills copies of Rxs should be made in reference to the original Rx.
Indicate on the original Rx: the new Rx number, the date of the repeat or part fill, the
quantity dispensed & the pharmacist’s initials.
Transfers not permitted
Record & retain all documents pertaining to all transactions in a manner that permits an
audit.
Sales reports required except for controlled drug preparations (cafergot)

Part II
e.g. barbiturates (amobarbital,
Phenobarbital), butorphanol (Stadol NS)
diethylpropion (Tenuate) nalbuphine
(Nubain), phentermine (Ionamin),
preparations: 1 controlled drug + 1 or more
active noncontrolled ingredient(s) (Fiorinal,
Neo-Pause, Tecnal)
Amytal, Butisol, Donnatal, Tedral
Part III
eg , anabolic steroids (methyltestosterone,
nandrolone decanoate), Deca-durabolin,
climacteron
Benzodiazepines & Other Targeted
Substances
e.g. alprazolam (Xanax), bromazepam
(Lectopam), chlordiazepoxide (Librium),
clobazam (Frisium), ethchlorvynol, lorazepam
(Ativan), mazindol, meprobamate, oxazepam
(Serax)
Report any loss or theft of controlled drugs as well as forged Rxs within 10 days to the
Office of Controlled Substances at the address indicated on the forms
Written or verbal Rx permitted
Refills not permitted for verbal Rx
Refills permitted for written or verbal Rxs if the prescriber has authorized in writing or
verbally (at the time of issuance) the number of refills & dates for, or intervals between,
refills
Written or verbal Rx may be prescribed to be dispensed in divided portions (part fills)
For refills & part fills copies of Rxs should be made in reference to the original Rx.
Indicate on the original Rx: the new Rx number, the date of the repeat or part fill, the
quantity dispensed & the pharmacist’s initials.
Transfers not permitted
Record & retain all documents pertaining to all transactions in a manner that permits an
audit.
Sales reports not required
Report any loss or theft of controlled drugs as well as forged Rxs within 10 days to the
Office of Controlled Substances at the address indicated on the forms
Written or verbal Rx permitted
Refills for written or verbal Rxs permitted if indicated by prescriber
Part refills permitted as per prescriber’s instructions
Rxs are valid only for 1 year
For refills or part fills of Rxs the following information should be recorded: date of the
repeat or part fill, Rx number, quantity dispensed & the pharmacist’s initials.
Transfers of Rxs permitted except a Rx that has been already transferred
Record & retain all documents pertaining to all transactions in a manner that permits an
audit.
Sales reports not required
Report any loss or theft of benzodiazepines & other targeted substances within 10 days
to the Office of Controlled Substances at the address indicated on the forms