COVID-19 Prescribing

Across the province, doctors are providing excellent care and meaningful leadership during these challenging and extraordinary times. 

The Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Strang, is overseeing our public health response. He has asked the College to directly communicate to physicians on an important matter. 

In support of our Chief Medical Officer, and pursuant to the advice of our experts in Infectious Diseases, please be advised that, effective immediately:

Only physicians recognized as specialists in Infectious Disease may prescribe or initiate treatment with lopinavir/ritonavir (Kaletra), and/or hydroxychloroquine. Patients already taking these medications may be maintained on their regime by their regularly prescribing physician

This restriction supplements the approach adopted by the College of Pharmacists, which has instructed its pharmacists not to dispense these medications. 

We all need to work together.  Each of us has a role to play in keeping Nova Scotians safe. Thank you to the tremendous work of physicians working on the front lines to do just that.