Policy Brief
Updating the Provisions for Hospitals and Practitioners in Regulations Under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA)
Publication date:
2025
Author:
Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction
Presents the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction’s submission to the Office of Legislative and Regulatory Affairs, Controlled Substances and Overdose Response Directorate at Health Canada, as part of consultations. It describes how aligning the regulatory framework with contemporary substance use healthcare practices, which have expanded to include community-based care, virtual care and integrated services, can better reflect the needs of people who use substances.
Three Key Points You Will Find in the Document:
- Enabling activities with controlled substances in healthcare facilities beyond hospitals is essential.
- The modernization of the CDSA’s regulations should reflect shifts in healthcare delivery.
- Authorizing additional categories of healthcare professionals to perform activities with controlled substances is crucial.