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Canada is the second largest prescribing nation of opioids in the world. Nova Scotia is among the provinces with the highest rates of opioid prescribing. The harm associated with the growing abuse and misuse of monitored drugs such as opioids is a significant public health and safety issue. At its March meeting, the Council of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia approved a new policy regarding the prescribing of monitored drugs by physicians in the province. The policy states: When caring for patients in episodic, urgent or emergent care settings, physicians must review the patient’s drug profile…

On March 21st, the Council of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia approved a new policy regarding the prescribing of monitored drugs. The policy is as follows: When caring for patients in episodic, urgent or emergent care settings, physicians must review the patient’s drug profile as maintained by the NSPMP prior to prescribing narcotics or any controlled drugs or substances. This policy is effective June 1st, 2014. Through the NSPMP eAccess web application, prescribers and pharmacists can quickly access the most recent 18 months of prescribing history.

The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia is pleased to announce that Dr. Geoffrey Turnbull of Halifax has been selected as the 2013 recipient of its Gold-Headed Cane Award, which recognizes outstanding professionalism in medical practice A Professor of Medicine at Dalhousie University and Active Staff Gastroenterologist with Capital District Health Authority, Dr. Turnbull is a prolific researcher whose work has been published in renowned journals such as The Lancet, Gut and The American Journal of Gastroenterology. His extensive research in gastrointestinal motility disorders has made him a world expert in Irritable Bowel Syndrome. A devoted patient advocate whose…