The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care recently approved changes to the Nursing Act, 1991 that will give RNs and RPNs access to the controlled act of dispensing a drug. This new authority takes effect on January 1, 2014.
RNs and RPNs will need an order from an authorized provider to dispense a drug. They will no longer need delegation.
To support safe and ethical dispensing, the Medication practice standard is being updated to reflect expectations for practice and provide nurses with the guidance needed to dispense a drug safely. It will be available on the website on January 1, 2014.