Tracked Prescription Program (TPP) Alberta

No. This is considered prohibited conduct and cannot be dispensed under any circumstances.

Yes. A postgraduate trainee (also known as a resident) can provide medical services and associated activities such as prescribing within the context of their approved training program. Supervising physicians do not need to co-sign a prescription from a postgraduate trainee.

Prescriptions should clearly identify the prescribing physician as a resident of their respective program and include their printed name, contact number (which can be the phone number for the residency program), signature and CPSA registration number to aid in prescriber identification.

For Type 1 TPP-monitored medications, trainees must obtain approval from their program to register with Alberta’s Tracked Prescription Program (TPP Alberta) and use a secure TPP prescription form. More information on how to register can be found at tppalberta.ca/register.

Registration confirmation (e.g., for verbal Type 1 TPP prescriptions) and other TPP-related questions can be emailed to TPP.info@cpsa.ab.ca, or call 1-800-561-3899 ext. 4939.

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.

Yes. Registration with TPP Alberta and use of the secure TPP Alberta prescription form is required when prescribing methadone and other OATs.

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.

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.

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.

Yes, TPP Alberta monitors cannabis for medical purposes as Health Canada collects and publishes this data under federal legislation. Find more on Health Canada’s website.

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.

Prescribers must notify police and TPP Alberta immediately. You can contact us at TPPInfo@cpsa.ab.ca or 1-800-561-3899, ext. 4939, or submit a report via TPP Alberta’s website.

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.

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.

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.

Dispensers of TPP medications send the forms to TPP Alberta at least twice a month for data entry, if the scripts meet these criteria:

• compounded medications
• office use
• veterinary use

Information for other tracked prescriptions is sent to TPP Alberta via Netcare/PIN. However, pharmacies should keep a copy in case TPP Alberta requests access to it.

Please refer to the Prescribers With TPP Alberta Prescribing Restrictions list.

Pharmacists looking for the list of stolen or missing TPP Alberta scripts can access the list through the Alberta College of Pharmacy (login required), or contact TPP Alberta to verify if unsure.

Patients are entitled to ask their health care provider if they prescribe medications monitored by TPP Alberta.

“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.

No.