FAQs for Prescribers
FAQs for Pharmacists
FAQs for Albertans
FAQs for Forgeries
FAQs for Prescribers
+ Can TPP Alberta prescriptions be faxed to the pharmacist?
Yes, if the program’s secure 2-part form is used.
Please refer to CPSA’s Prescribing: Administration standard of practice and advice document for more information.
+ Do I need to register with TPP Alberta in order to prescribe buprenorphine/naloxone?
No. As of July 2019, when buprenorphine/naloxone was changed to Type 2 TPP Alberta status, registration with the Program was no longer required. Use of the secure TPP Alberta secure form is no longer required when prescribing buprenorphine/naloxone combination products. Single-entity buprenorphine products continue to be TPP Type 1 category so registration with TPP Alberta and use of the secure pad are required.
+ Do I need to register with TPP Alberta in order to prescribe other Opiate Agonist Therapies (OATs), such as methadone?
Yes. Active TPP Alberta registration, active OAT approval and use of the TPP Alberta prescription form is required when prescribing methadone and other OAT medications
+ How long do I retain my copy of the TPP Alberta form?
The TPP Alberta secure form is considered part of the patient record. A copy should be retained for the same period that a patient record must be maintained as per applicable legislation for your profession.
+ How will my TPP pad be delivered?
TPP pads are delivered by Purolator and someone must be available to sign for the parcel. Please note that we cannot accept out of province or PO Box addresses for deliveries.
+ I am moving my practice. Does the TPP Alberta pad stay at my old clinic?
Your TPP Alberta pad is issued to you as a prescriber. If you are moving your practice, you should take your pad with you and update TPP Alberta by emailing TPP.Info@cpsa.ab.ca, calling 780-969-4939 or 1-800-561-3899 ext. 4939 (toll free), or faxing 780-429-1981.
+ Is cannabis for medical purposes monitored by TPP Alberta?
No, TPP Alberta does not monitor cannabis for medical purposes.
Note: Physicians who wish to authorize medical cannabis are required to notify CPSA and follow applicable Standards of Practice. For more information, contact CPSA’s Cannabis for Medical Purposes Program.
+ Is diphenoxylate a monitored drug for veterinary practices?
No, dipehnoxylate is not monitored by TPP Alberta. Veterinary practices do not need to report prescribing for diphenoxylate (brand name: Lomotil).
These scripts do not need to be sent in for manual data entry. For details, please contact ABVMA.
+ What can I do if my secure forms are lost or stolen?
Prescribers must notify police and TPP Alberta immediately. You can contact us at: TPPInfo@cpsa.ab.ca or 1-800-561-3899, ext. 4939
The prescriber should provide the following information to TPP Alberta:
- Prescriber contact information and registration number
- Date of loss or theft
- Tracking numbers of missing forms
- Name of the last patient prescribed a secure prescription
- The police file number and the investigating constable’s name and phone number
While this is not required, we encourage including details on circumstances related to the incident. Where available, this information is used in a de-identified format to inform guidance from TPP Alberta.
+ When can I expect to receive my TPP pad?
If you are already registered for TPP Alberta, it can take up to 10 business days to receive your order.
If you are not yet registered for the program, please allow additional time for your registration to be processed. It can take up to 15 business days from the date your registration form is received for your first pad to be delivered. You will receive a welcome letter and information package once your registration has been processed and your first pad has been ordered.
If you have questions about the status of your order or registration, please contact TPP Alberta by email at TPPinfo@cpsa.ab.ca or phone at 1-800-561-3899 ext. 4939.
+ Where should I keep the prescriber’s copy of the TPP Alberta form?
You should keep the PRESCRIBER COPY (bottom copy) of the 2-part secure form within the patient’s record at your clinic. Refrain from leaving the form within the pad. Storing the copy within the pad can compromise patient confidentiality, especially in the case of loss or theft.
+ Can Ketamine be dispensed from a veterinary practice to a pet owner?
No. This is considered prohibited conduct and cannot be dispensed under any circumstances.
FAQs for Pharmacists
+ When a patient picks up a TPP-type 1 medication sent through an e-prescribing platform (e.g., PrescribeIT), do both the pharmacist and patient need to sign the printed PrescribeIT paper copy?
As per TPP policies, the dispensing pharmacist who is responsible for assessing the prescription for appropriateness must sign the prescription, either on paper or electronically.
The signature of the patient or their agent must also be captured when they receive the prescription, either on paper or via an e-signature.
+ For compounded TPP medications, or for office or veterinary use, a copy of the TPP prescription must be kept. If the pharmacy has electronic record keeping, is an electronic copy sufficient or is a physical paper copy required?
An electronic copy of the TPP prescription is sufficient for compounded medications, and veterinary or office-use prescriptions. The signature of the patient, their agent or the prescriber (in the case of office-use prescriptions) must be captured upon receipt of the prescription, either on paper or via an e-signature. Additionally, a copy of the prescription, including the completed bottom portion of the prescription, must be sent to the TPP Alberta.
FAQs for Albertans
+ How do I know if my health care provider can prescribe TPP Alberta monitored medications?
Patients are entitled to ask their health care provider if they prescribe medications monitored by TPP Alberta.
+ What is "multi doctoring"?
“Multi-doctoring” is when a patient visits multiple health care providers to obtain multiple prescriptions, within a 30 day period, without informing the prescribers about every prescription or narcotic obtained.
Both unlawful possession and obtaining multiple prescriptions for opioids and some other prescription drugs, without proper disclosure, are criminal offences that can bring a fine of up to $1,000 or imprisonment for up to six months, or both, for a first offence (summary conviction). Penalties increase for subsequent convictions or possession of larger amounts. For example, conviction for trafficking can bring life imprisonment. For more information, refer to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, (1996, c. 19 C-38.8)
Prescribers can access information on a patient’s prescription history via Alberta Netcare’s Pharmaceutical Information Network (PIN). TPP Alberta can also be contacted for a patient’s TPP profile.
+ When will my cannabis be delivered?
TPP Alberta is not responsible for the delivery of prescription cannabis. Please talk to your prescriber for more information on your cannabis prescription.
+ Will TPP Alberta provide a list of health care providers who prescribe specific drugs on the TPP Alberta medications list, such as methadone, cannabis or narcotics?
No.
FAQs for Forgeries
+ What is a prescription forgery?
Forging a prescription is defined as illegally acquiring pharmaceuticals for either personal use or for trafficking (illegitimate sale or distribution). Creating a prescription (on a blank prescription form or electronically), or altering a legitimate prescription, (e.g. by increasing the quantity of a medication or adding another medication to the prescription) are all examples of a forgery.
Prescription forgery and trafficking of Controlled Drugs are contraventions of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act with serious legal penalties (particularly for trafficking).
+ What steps should be taken by a prescriber if a forged prescription has been dispensed?
Confirm the forgery:
Get a copy of the forged prescription(s) for TPP Alberta-monitored drugs from the pharmacy.
Determine as many details about the forgery as possible, for example: • Date & time of forgery presentation to/receipt by the pharmacy • Patient information
Identify any discrepancies from legitimate prescriptions under your name.
Document the forgery in your records.
Collaborate with the pharmacy that received and/or filled the forged prescription(s):
Share applicable details with the pharmacy staff so that they can identify possible future forgeries under your name.
Provide direction to the pharmacy staff on the steps you would like taken for suspected forgeries received under your name. For example, how best to contact you for verification.
Confirm who will complete notifications, as appropriate, to: • Law enforcement • The Alberta College of Pharmacy (ACP) • Health Canada Notify TPP Alberta of the forgery:
Provide a copy of the forged prescription to TPP.Info@cpsa.ab.ca, including details gathered and shared with the pharmacy. TPP Alberta will complete appropriate documentation.
+ What steps should a pharmacist take when a forgery is suspected or confirmed?
- Pharmacists should follow the guidance provided on the ACP forgeries webpage.
- Pharmacists should collaborate with the prescriber and/or other healthcare professionals.
- All confirmed forgeries for TPP-monitored drugs should be reported to TPP Alberta.
- If the forgery has been dispensed, notify Health Canada, local law enforcement and contact Netcare (Pharmaceutical Information Network) for dispense record corrections, as appropriate.
+ To what organizations should a forgery of a controlled drug and substance be reported?
Health Canada requires that all those working with controlled substances and precursor chemicals must take proper security measures. If a theft, loss or forgery of a controlled drug or substance occurs it must be reported to the local police and to the [Office of Controlled Substances. ]
In Alberta, forgeries for TPP Alberta-monitored drugs should be reported to TPP Alberta on the "Forgeries" page on this website.
Additionally, it is recommended that pharmacists notify the Alberta College of Pharmacy.
Alberta Law Enforcement Agencies Contact Information:
- Non-Emergency Line: 780-423-4567
Calgary Police Service (CPS)
- 403-266-1234
RCMP Non-Emergency Lines
- Red Deer: 403-406-2300
- Grande Prairie: 780-830-5701
- Wood Buffalo: 780-788-4040
- Other detachments: https://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/detach/en/find/AB
Alberta Health
Note: If a person suspects that someone is using a card that is not theirs or misusing their Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan card, they may call the confidential Alberta Health tips line at 1-866-278-5104.