Update on New Federal Controlled Substances Regulations for Manitoba prescribers
On October 1, 2026, Health Canada consolidated several federal regulations into one document, The Narcotic Controlled Regulations. Additionally, several pieces of temporary federal legislation implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic are now permanent (the exemptions originally had an expiration date).
How does this impact CPSM registrants?
Since mid-2024, pharmacies have been permitted to transfer prescriptions for all narcotic and controlled medications, including those on the M3P drug list. This includes transfers between pharmacies within Manitoba and to out-of-province pharmacies within Canada. Prescriptions can also be transferred more than once.
As of October 1, 2026, the original prescription for a narcotic or controlled drug must have been written within the past two years to be transferred.
Due to provincial legislative barriers, several components of the new federal legislation have not been implemented in Manitoba.
We will update registrants if and when additional changes occur which could impact your practice.
If you have any questions, contact the Prescribing Practices Program at 204-774-4344 or by email at PrescribingPracticesProgram@cpsm.mb.ca