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Navigating the RN Prescribing Medication List
The medication schedule lists the medications Registered Nurses (RNs) with prescribing authority can prescribe in Ontario. It includes a combination of individual medications and categories of medications.
To help verify if a medication falls within a category of authorized medications, RNs must use the best available evidence to inform their practice. RNs can only prescribe medications for the purposes listed in the schedule.
Medications that fall into categories can be verified in one of three ways:
- Prescription medications - These medications are based on the World Health Organization Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classification system—an internationally accepted medication classification system for drug utilization studies. The ATC system includes a search function to easily view medications within each category. To confirm if a prescription medication falls within an authorized category of medications, check the ATC code.
- Any drug or substance that is available for self-selection in a pharmacy:
- Over the counter medications -To confirm if a medication is within the over-the-counter (OTC) category– refer to the National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authority (NAPRA), Schedule III or U.
- Natural health products - To ensure a natural health product can be prescribed and is approved for use in Canada refer to Health Canada – natural health products.
The following chart includes links to the evidence-informed resources to verify if a medication falls within a category of authorized medications for RNs with prescribing authority in Ontario:
Immunization
| Medication | Category Explained |
|---|---|
| Any vaccines for prevention of bacterial and viral disease |
ATC CODES
RNs are not authorized to prescribe vaccines for parasitic diseases. |
Contraception
| Medication | Category Explained |
|---|---|
|
ATC CODES
RNs are not authorized to prescribe intra-uterine devices/contraceptives and contraceptive implants. |
Travel health
| Medication | Category Explained |
|---|---|
|
For Malaria prevention, any of the following:
|
ATC CODES
ATC code not needed for Doxycycline; medication is individually listed. |
|
For the prevention and/or treatment of traveler’s diarrhea, any of the following:
|
ATC code not needed; medications are individually listed |
Topical wound care
| Medication | Category Explained |
|---|---|
|
A combination of all three medications for cracked nipple care:
|
ATC code not needed; medications are individually listed |
|
Metronidazole for topical use for symptom management of odorous wounds |
ATC code not needed; medication is individually listed |
| Any antibiotics for topical use |
ATC CODE |
Smoking cessation only
| Medication | Category Explained |
|---|---|
|
ATC not needed; medications are individually listed |
Anesthetics (topical only)
| Medication | Category Explained |
|---|---|
| Any anesthetics used topically for pain relief related to immunization and/or topical wound care |
|
Allergic reaction
| Medication | Category Explained |
|---|---|
|
Epinephrine for anaphylaxis |
ATC code not needed; medication is individually listed |
Over-the-counter medication
| Medication | Category Explained |
|---|---|
|
OTC refers to any drug or substance that may lawfully be purchased or acquired without a prescription and is available for self-selection in a pharmacy. |
Not based on ATC classification Includes:
|
Related links
- Ontario Regulation 275/94
- FAQS: Medication List and Prescribing Practices
- World Health Organization ATC Classification System
- National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities
- Canada’s Drug Product Database
- Canada’s Licensed Natural Health Products Database
