Effective October 1, 2026, New Brunswick Nurse Practitioners (NPs) will be required to comply with the federal Controlled Substances Regulations (CSR), which introduce new requirements for prescribing, managing, and handling controlled substances under the authority of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
Approved in 2025, the CSR consolidate existing regulations and six class exemptions into a single framework governing narcotics, controlled drugs, targeted substances (including benzodiazepines), and restricted drugs, including activities performed by NPs.
What will change in NP practice?
- New documentation and compliance requirements:
NPs will need to comply with new requirements for record-keeping (including newly added requirements with respect to post-consumer returns), protective measures and reporting of losses or thefts.
- Expanded authority for returns and destruction: NPs will be authorized, under specific conditions, to destroy post-consumer returns of controlled substances and to sell or provide returned substances to a licensed dealer or the Minister.
- Transportation of substances: NPs will be authorized, under specific conditions, to send, deliver and transport a controlled substance.
- Removal of prescribing restrictions: Federal restrictions on prescribing opium and coca leaves will be removed as NPs can only prescribe marketed drugs. CNNB is working to align the existing Bylaws to remove this restriction at the provincial level.
What is not changing?
- Authorization to prescribe: Once in force, the CSR will continue to authorize NPs to prescribe, administer, sell or provide a narcotic, controlled drug or targeted substance to a patient who is under their professional care.
- Schedules of controlled substances: Under the CSR, there will continue to be separate schedules for the different categories of controlled substances, as follows:
- Schedule 1 — Narcotics
- Schedule 2 — Controlled Drugs (Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3)
- Schedule 3 — Targeted Substances (Part 1 and Part 2)
- Schedule 4 — Restricted Drugs (Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3)
As the new regulations come into effect, CNNB will update resources to support NPs in preparing for these changes, in keeping with its mandate to protect the public. As October 1st approaches, NPs are encouraged to stay informed about new guidance and requirements. Early preparation will support a smooth transition and the continued delivery of safe, competent, compassionate and ethical nursing practice.
