Dialogue Volume 13 Issue 1 2017 | Page 29

prescribing

CPSO , OCP provide guidance on early abortion medication

Mifegymiso ’ s requirements for physician dispensing and patient ingestion clarified by Health Canada photo : istockphoto . com

Mifegymiso – a two-drug combination product that provides a non-surgical option for early abortion – became available to the Canadian public in January 2017 . But uncertainty about appropriate dispensing requirements led this College and the Ontario College of Pharmacists ( OCP ) to clarify with Health Canada the expectations for physicians and pharmacists . A statement published on both colleges ’ website reads “ Details provided by the manufacturer and Health Canada regarding requirements for physician dispensing and patient ingestion of the medication were unclear and there was concern that patient access to therapy could be impaired . As such , both colleges expressed concerns to Health Canada that these requirements were outside of the normal distribution system for medications in

Ontario and would be challenging to operationalize . Although physicians in Ontario can dispense drugs according to the CPSO ’ s Dispensing Drugs policy , only a small number of physicians dispense medications as part of their practice ,” it stated .. After corresponding with Health Canada , OCP and CPSO were advised that the product monograph is not a legally binding document . Health Canada went on to state that if , under the practice of medicine or pharmacy , the administration or distribution of the medication is outside of what is approved , the product would be considered to be used off-label .
Dispensing Mifegymiso Both the OCP and CPSO have confirmed there are three possible ways Mifegymiso can be dispensed .
Issue 1 , 2017 Dialogue 29