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Page modified December 15, 2009

Amended NP Drug, Laboratory and Diagnostic Test Lists

Current Drug List
(Nursing regulation 275)

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Drugs that NPs can prescribe

On Nov. 24, 2008, the Ontario government amended Regulation 275/94 under the Nursing Act, 1991 to include new drug schedules for NPs. NPs are now authorized to prescribe 24 more drugs.

The November 2008 additions are highlighted in red below.

This drug list reflects the recommendations the College made to the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. Before submitting the list to the government in fall 2008, the College consulted with the membership about its recommendations in summer 2007. The Ministry responded to the College’s recommendations with the following changes:

  • specified clinical indications for a number of the drugs, based on clinical rationale College members provided;
  • specified the “oral, sublingual” routes for isosorbide dinitrate; and
  • added the condition that orlistat be for renewal only.

Please note: In the NP drug list below, clarifications from the College are inside square brackets; for example, [College clarification].

For more information on labs and diagnostics, click here.

SCHEDULE 2

  • Diphtheria vaccines - single entity or combination drugs
  • Haemophilus b vaccine
  • Hepatitis A vaccine
  • Hepatitis B immune globulin
  • Hepatitis B vaccine
  • Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine
  • Influenza vaccine
  • Measles vaccines - single entity or combination drugs
  • Meningococcal vaccine
  • Mumps vaccine
  • Pertussis vaccine
  • Pneumococcal vaccine
  • Poliomyelitis vaccine
  • Rh (D) immune globulin
  • Rubella vaccine
  • Tetanus vaccines - single entity or combination drugs
  • Tetanus Immune Globulin
  • Varicella vaccine

SCHEDULE 3

  • Acarbose - for renewal only
  • Acebutolol - for renewal only
  • Acetic acid/benzethonium chloride/hydrocortisone compound
  • Acyclovir (oral)
  • Acyclovir (topical preparation)
  • Alendronate sodium - for renewal only
  • Allopurinol - for renewal only
  • Almotriptan – for renewal only
  • Amantadine hydrochloride
  • Amitriptyline - for renewal only
  • Amlodipine besylate - for renewal only
  • Amoxicillin
  • Amoxicillin and clavulanate
  • Aqueous procaine penicillin G - for the purpose of treating sexually transmitted diseases
  • Atenolol - for renewal only
  • Atorvastatin - for renewal only
  • Azithromycin
  • Beclomethasone dipropionate (inhalation) - for renewal only
  • Beclomethasone dipropionate (topical)
  • Benazepril - for renewal only
  • Benzathine penicillin G - for the purpose of treating sexually transmitted diseases
  • Benzoyl peroxide
  • Betahistine dihydrochloride – for renewal only for the treatment of recurrent vertigo associated with Ménière’s disease
  • Betamethasone sodium phosphate and gentamicin sulfate otic solution
  • Betamethasone valerate
  • Bisoprolol - for renewal only
  • Budesonide - for renewal only
  • Budesonide-formoterol fumarate dihydrate – for renewal only
  • Bupropion - for smoking cessation only
  • Bupropion - for renewal of antidepressant therapy
  • Butoconazole nitrate
  • Candesartan cilexetil - for renewal only
  • Captopril - for renewal only
  • Carbamazepine - for renewal only
  • Cefixime - for the purpose of treating sexually transmitted diseases
  • Cefprozil
  • Ceftriaxone sodium - for the purpose of treating sexually transmitted diseases
  • Cefuroxime axetil (oral)
  • Celecoxib - for renewal only
  • Cephalexin
  • Ciclesonide – for renewal only for the prophylactic management of steroid-responsive bronchial asthma
  • Ciclopirox olamine (shampoo)
  • Cilazapril - for renewal only
  • Ciprofloxacin extended release
  • Ciprofloxacin HCI
  • Ciprofloxacin HC (otic) [this drug has been discontinued; it will be removed from the list when the regulation is amended]
  • Citalopram - for renewal only
  • Clarithromycin (oral)
  • Clindamycin (oral)
  • Clindamycin (topical preparation)
  • Clindamycin phosphate (vaginal cream)
  • Clindamycin phosphate and benzoyl peroxide
  • Clobetasone butyrate
  • Clopidogrel bisulfate — for renewal only
  • Cloxacillin (oral preparation)
  • Collagenase
  • Condylline
  • Conjugated Estrogens
  • Conjugated Estrogens and medroxyprogesterone acetate
  • Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12)
  • Desogestrel and ethinyl estradiol
  • Dextrose 50 per cent (injectable preparation) - in an emergency
  • Diazepam (injectable preparation) - in an emergency
  • Diclofenac sodium and misoprostol
  • Dienestrol
  • Diflucortolone valerate
  • Diltiazem - for renewal only
  • Diphenhydramine hydrochloride (injectable preparation) - in an emergency
  • Donepezil hydrochloride — for renewal only
  • Doxycycline hyclate
  • Doxylamine succinate and pyridoxine hydrochloride
  • Econazole
  • Enalapril maleate - for renewal only
  • Epinephrine
  • Epinephrine hydrochloride (injectable preparation) - in an emergency
  • Eprosartan mesylate — for renewal only
  • Erythromycin and benzoyl peroxide
  • Erythromycin and tretinoin
  • Erythromycin base
  • Erythromycin estolate
  • Erythromycin ethylsuccinate
  • Erythromycin ethylsuccinate/sulfisoxazole acetyl
  • Erythromycin stearate
  • Erythromycin with ethyl alcohol lotion
  • Escitalopram - for renewal only
  • Esomeprazole - for renewal only
  • Estradiol-17 beta (micronized)
  • Estradiol-17 beta (transdermal)
  • Estradiol-17 beta (Silastic ring)
  • Estropipate (piperazine estrone sulfate)
  • Estradiol-17 beta hemihydrate
  • Estradiol-17 beta norethindrone acetate
  • Estrone (cone or cream)
  • Ethinyl estradiol and cyproterone acetate
  • Ethinyl estradiol/drospirenone
  • Ethinyl estradiol and ethynodiol diacetate
  • Ethinyl/etonogestrel (vaginal ring)
  • Ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel
  • Ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone
  • Ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone acetate
  • Ethinyl estradiol and norgestimate
  • Ethinyl estradiol and norgestrel
  • Etidronate disodium/calcium carbonate - for renewal only
  • Ezetimibe — for renewal only
  • Famciclovir
  • Fluconazole (oral) - for vulvovaginal candidiasis only
  • Flunisolide
  • Fluocinolone acetonide
  • Flumethasone pivalate/clioquinol compound
  • Fluoxetine - for renewal only
  • Fluticasone propionate (inhalation) - for renewal only
  • Fluticasone propionate (nasal)
  • Fluvastatin - for renewal only
  • Fluvoxamine - for renewal only
  • Folic acid
  • Formoterol fumarate dihydrate - for renewal only
  • Fosinopril sodium - for renewal only
  • Framycetin sulphate
  • Framycetin sulphate/gramicidin/dexamethasone compound otic solution
  • Furosemide - for renewal only
  • Fusidic acid (topical preparation)
  • Fusidic acid 1% viscous eye drops
  • Gabapentin - for renewal only
  • Galantamine hydrobromide — for renewal only
  • Gentamicin sulphate (otic, ophthalmic and topical)
  • Gliclazide - for renewal only
  • Glyburide - for renewal only
  • Haloperidol - for chronic nausea in palliation
  • Hydrochlorothiazide - for renewal only
  • Hydrochlorothiazide/amiloride - for renewal only
  • Hydrochlorothiazide/candesartan - for renewal only
  • Hydrochlorothiazide/cilazapril - for renewal only
  • Hydrochlorothiazide/enalapril - for renewal only
  • Hydrochlorothiazide/eprosartan - for renewal only
  • Hydrochlorothiazide/irbesartan - for renewal only
  • Hydrochlorothiazide/lisinopril - for renewal only
  • Hydrochlorothiazide/losartan - for renewal only
  • Hydrochlorothiazide/pindolol - for renewal only
  • Hydrochlorothiazide/quinapril - for renewal only
  • Hydrochlorothiazide/spironolactone - for renewal only
  • Hydrochlorothiazide/telmisartan - for renewal only
  • Hydrochlorothiazide/triamterene - for renewal only
  • Hydrochlorothiazide/valsartan - for renewal only
  • Hydrocortisone (topical preparation)
  • Hydrocortisone-17-valerate
  • Hydroxyzine hydrochloride (oral preparation)
  • Ibuprofen
  • Irbesartan - for renewal only
  • Imiquimod
  • Indapamide — for renewal only for hypertension
  • Insulin — for renewal only
  • Ipratropium bromide - for renewal only
  • Ipratropium bromide (inhaler or nebulizer solution) - in an emergency
  • Ipratropium bromide/salbutamol sulfate - for renewal only
  • Isosorbide dinitrate (oral, sublingual) — for renewal only
  • Ketoconazole (topical)
  • Ketoprofen
  • Labetalol - for renewal only
  • Lansoprazole - for renewal only
  • Levocabastine HCl
  • Levofloxacin
  • Levonorgestrel
  • Levonorgestrel releasing intrauterine system
  • Levothyroxine sodium - for renewal only
  • Lidocaine hydrochloride 1 per cent and 2 per cent, with or without epinephrine (local anaesthetic)
  • Lisinopril - for renewal only
  • Lorazepam (injectable preparation, oral and sublingual) - in an emergency
  • Losaratan potassium - for renewal only
  • Lovastatin - for renewal only
  • Mebendazole
  • Medroxyprogesterone acetate (injectable preparation and oral)
  • Mefenamic acid
  • Meloxicam - for renewal only
  • Mestranol and norethindrone
  • Metformin hydrochloride - for renewal only
  • Metoprolol - for renewal only
  • Metronidazole (oral and topical preparations)
  • Minocycline hydrochloride
  • Mirtazapine - for renewal only
  • Misoprostol
  • Mometasone furoate
  • Mometasone furoate monohydrate
  • Montelukast sodium - for renewal only
  • Moxifloxacin
  • Mupirocin
  • Nadolol - for renewal only
  • Naproxen
  • Naproxen sodium
  • Naratriptan - for renewal only
  • Nateglinide — for renewal only for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus
  • Nicotine patch
  • Nifedipine - for renewal only
  • Nitrofurantoin
  • Nitroglycerin SL or spray - in an emergency
  • Nitroglycerin (sublingual) — for renewal only
  • Nitroglycerin (transdermal) — for renewal only
  • Norelgestromin and ethinyl estradiol (transdermal patch)
  • Norethindrone
  • Norethindrone acetate/ethinyl estradiol
  • Nortriptyline - for renewal only
  • Nystatin (oral)
  • Ofloxacin
  • Olopatadine HCL
  • Omeprazole - for renewal only
  • Orlistat — for renewal only
  • Oseltamivir phosphate
  • Pantoprazole (oral) - for renewal only
  • Paroxetine - for renewal only
  • Penicillin V
  • Perindopril erbumine — for renewal only
  • Perindopril erbumine-indapamide — for renewal only for hypertension
  • Phenazopyridine HCl
  • Phenytoin - for renewal only
  • Pindolol - for renewal only
  • Pioglitazone - for renewal only
  • Pivampicillin
  • Podophyllum resin
  • PPD-B (Mantoux)
  • Pravastatin - for renewal only
  • Prednicarbate
  • PregVit
  • Progesterone
  • Propranolol - for renewal only
  • Quinapril - for renewal only
  • Rabeprazole - for renewal only
  • Raloxifene HCL - for renewal only
  • Ramipril - for renewal only
  • Ranitidine HCL (oral)
  • Repaglinide — for renewal only for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus
  • Risedronate sodium hemi-pentahydrate - for renewal only
  • Rivastigmine hydrogen tartrate — for renewal only
  • Rizatriptan - for renewal only
  • Rosiglitazone - for renewal only
  • Rosuvastatin - for renewal only
  • Salbutamol (inhaler or nebulizer solution) - in an emergency, for renewal or for use in spirometry
  • Salmeterol xinafoate - for renewal only
  • Salmeterol xinafoate/fluticasone propionate - for renewal only
  • Sertraline - for renewal only
  • Silver sulfadiazine
  • Simvastatin - for renewal only
  • Sodium cromoglycate (ophthalmic and nasal preparations)
  • Spironolactone - for renewal only
  • Sulfacetamide sodium
  • Sumatriptan - for renewal only
  • Telmisartan - for renewal only
  • Terbutaline sulfate - for renewal only
  • Terconazole
  • Terbinafine (topical use; or oral use for the treatment of onychomycosis only)
  • Tetracycline hydrochloride (oral preparation)
  • Timolol - for renewal only
  • Tiotropium bromide monohydrate - for renewal only
  • Tobramycin 0.3% ophthalmic solution
  • Topiramate - for renewal only
  • Trandolapril - for renewal only
  • Tretinoin (topical)
  • Triamcinolone acetonide
  • Trichloroacetic acid 50-80%, Bichloroacetic acid 50-80%
  • Trimethoprim
  • Trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole (oral preparation)
  • Valacyclovir hydrochloride
  • Valproic acid - for renewal only
  • Valsartan - for renewal only
  • Venlafaxine - for renewal only
  • Verapamil extended release - for renewal only
  • Zafirlukast - for renewal only
  • Zanamivir
  • Zolmitripan - for renewal only

Current Laboratory Tests List
(Lab Regulation 682)

Laboratory tests that NPs can order

On January 1, 2009, the Ontario government amended Regulation 682 under the Laboratory and Specimen Collection Centre Licensing Act, adding two new entries (nos. 117-118 below) to the list of laboratory tests that NPs can order.

Please note: In the NP laboratory tests list below, clarifications from the College are inside square brackets; for example, [College clarification].

  1. Revoked. [Antibiotic Sensitivity is covered under tests that are cultures.]
  2. Chlamydia - culture isolation or non-cultural assays by fluorescence or ELISA techniques. [Includes urine chlamydia.]
  3. Cultures - cervical, vaginal, including GC culture, Gram smear, yeast, identification (e.g. Germ tube).
  4. Cultures - Cultures - GC culture and smear. [Includes PCR testing for GC on urine.]
  5. Cultures - other swabs or pus - culture and smear (includes screening).
  6. Cultures - sputum - culture and smear.
  7. Cultures - stool culture, including the necessary agglutinations and culture for campylobacter.
  8. Cultures - tuberculosis, including ZN or fluorescent smear.
  9. Cultures - urine calibrated volume to include plate, turbidimetric or photometric techniques.
  10. Cultures - throat swab, for streptococcus screen only.
  11. Cultures - urine, screening, actual culture without identification.
  12. Smear only, Gram or Papanicolaou stain.
  13. Wet preparation (for fungus, trichomonas, parasites).
  14. Cultures - fungus, including KOH preparation and smear.
  15. Smear only, special stain e.g. ZN, inclusions, spores, diphtheria.
  16. Parasites and ova (faeces concentration).
  17. Parasites and ova, smear only, special stain.
  18. Pinworm (Scotch tape prep).
  19. Direct smears - oral, larynx, nipple discharge, vulvar.
  20. Cervicovaginal specimen (including all types of cellular abnormality, assessment of flora and/or cytohormonal evaluation).
  21. Sputum per specimen for general and/or specified assessment (e.g. cellular abnormality, asbestos bodies, lipid, hemosiderin, etc.). [Includes sputum cytology.]
  22. Serology HIV Antibody.
  23. Albumin, Quantitative. [Albumin/creatinine ratio - ACR, Microalbumin.]
  24. Amylase.
  25. Bilirubin, total.
  26. Bilirubin, conjugated.
  27. Carbamazepine, Quantitative (Tegretol).
  28. Calcium.
  29. Chloride.
  30. Cholesterol, total.
  31. Creatinine (eGFR). [For more information, visit the Ontario Association of Medical Laboratories website.]
  32. Gamma glutamyl transpeptidase.
  33. Glucose, quantitative (not by dipstick).
  34. Glycosylated hemoglobin - Hgb A1.
  35. High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol.
  36. Iron, Total - with iron binding capacity.
  37. Lead.
  38. Lithium.
  39. Occult Blood.
  40. Phosphatase, Alkaline.
  41. Phosphorus (inorganic phosphate).
  42. Potassium.
  43. Protein, total.
  44. Quinidine.
  45. Salicylate, Quantitative.
  46. SGOT (AST).
  47. SGPT (ALT).
  48. Sodium.
  49. Triglycerides.
  50. Uric Acid.
  51. Urinalysis, routine chemical (any of SG, pH, protein, sugar, hemoglobin, ketones, urobilinogen, bilirubin, leukocyte esterase, nitrate).
  52. Urinalysis, microscopic examination of centrifuged specimen.
  53. Digoxin.
  54. Folate, in red cells, to include serum folate and hematocrit.
  55. Estriol.
  56. FSH (Pituitary Gonadotrophins).
  57. HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotrophins).
  58. Hepatitis Associated Antigen or Antibody Immunoassay (e.g. hepatitis B surface antigen or antibody, hepatitis B anticore antibody, hepatitis A antibody).
  59. Aminophylline (Theophylline).
  60. Diphenylhydantoin (Phenytoin), Quantitative (Dilantin).
  61. Ferritin.
  62. TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone).
  63. Vitamin B12.
  64. Alphafetoprotein screen.
  65. Agglutination Reaction - Screen. [Includes Rheumatoid factor.]
  66. Fluorescent Antibody Tests (Immunofluorescent Studies), Tests for serum antibodies to tissue and cell components - antinuclear.
  67. Pregnancy Test.
  68. Non-cultural direct bacterial antibody or antigen assays by fluorescence, agglutination or ELISA techniques.
  69. Heterophile Antibodies - screen (slide or single tube) - with or without absorption.
  70. Virus antibodies - hemagglutination inhibition or ELISA techniques.
  71. Non-cultural indirect antibody or antigen assays by fluorescence, agglutination or ELISA techniques. [Clostridium difficile toxin assay, Helicobacter Pylori serology.]
  72. VDRL.
  73. Complete blood count (any method). [Includes WBC differential, Platelet count, RBC count, WBC count, Hematocrit and Hemoglobin.]
  74. Bleeding time - Ivy method.
  75. Eosinophil count.
  76. Revoked. [Platelet (thromobocyte) count now included in 73, Complete blood count.]
  77. Revoked. [RBC (ERC) count, excluding manual method, now included in 73, Complete blood count.]
  78. Reticulocyte count.
  79. Revoked. [WBC (LKS) count now included in 73, Complete blood count.]
  80. Revoked. [Hematocrit now included in 73, Complete blood count.]
  81. Revoked. [Hemoglobin now included in 73, Complete blood count.]
  82. Hemoglobin electrophoresis or chromatography to include Hb A2 fraction.
  83. Prothrombin time. [Includes INR]
  84. Sickle Cell preparation.
  85. Partial thromboplastin time.
  86. Antibody Titre.
  87. Antibody Screening.
  88. Blood Group - ABO and Rho (D).
  89. Blood Group - ABO and Rh Phenotype.
  90. Valproic Acid.
  91. Prolactin.
  92. Revoked. [Parathyroid Hormone was deleted in June 2005 at the request of the membership and the regulation was amended by government in March 2007.]
  93. Electrophoresis, serum - including total protein.
  94. 1,25 Dihydroxy Vitamin D.
  95. 25 Hydroxy Vitamin D.
  96. Estradiol.
  97. Virus Isolation.
  98. Drugs of abuse screen, urine.
  99. Target drug testing, urine, qualitative or quantitative.
  100. Seminal fluid examination (complete).
  101. Smear for spermatozoa only (post-operative).
  102. Inhibin.
  103. Pregnancy Associated Plasma Protein type A (PAPP-A).
  104. Creatine Phosphokinase.
  105. Sickle cell solubility test (screen).
  106. Sedimentation rate.
  107. Newborn Screening Test for: Amino acidopathies - Fatty acid oxidation defects - Organic acidemias - Endocrinopathies - Hemoglobinopathies - Biotinidase - Galactosemia.
  108. T-3, free.
  109. T4, free - absolute (includes T-4 total).
  110. ColonCancerCheck FOBT.
  111. HPV Testing.
  112. Cortisol.
  113. Urea nitrogen (B.U.N.).
  114. ACTH (adrenocorticotrophic hormone).
  115. Vitamin A.
  116. Vitamin E.
  117. Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA), Free.
  118. Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA), Total.

Current Diagnostic Test List

Diagnostic tests that NPs can order

Under the Healing Arts Radiation and Protection Act, 1990 and the Nursing Act, 1991, NPs can order the following X-rays and diagnostic ultrasounds:

  1. X-rays of the chest, ribs, arm, wrist, hand, leg, ankle and foot, as well as mammography.
  2. Diagnostic ultrasound of the abdomen, pelvis (including obstetrical) and breast.

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