I just received a prescription written by a nurse practitioner from Alberta. Do out-of-province nurse practitioners have prescribing privileges in B.C.?

No, out-of-province nurse practitioners are not recognized prescribers in BC.  In order to prescribe, a person must be a “practitioner” as defined by PODSA.  While BC nurse practitioners are authorized under the provincial Health Professions Act to prescribe, out-of-province nurse practitioners do not fall within the definition of a “practitioner” in BC.

Depending on the drug and the situation, pharmacists should use their professional judgment to decide if it is appropriate to process a new or transferred nurse practitioner (out-of-province) prescription as an emergency supply prescription using the pharmacist’s ID as the prescriber. In all cases, clearly document the situation on the prescription.