College of Midwives of Ontario Safe Prescribing and Administration of Controlled Drugs and Substance

In 2024, a new Designated Drugs and Substances Regulation, under the Midwifery Act, 1991, came into effect, setting out a list of drugs midwives can prescribe and substances that midwives can administer by injection or inhalation on a midwife’s own authority within the scope of midwifery practice.
The new regulation adds additional drugs and substances to the list that midwives may prescribe and/or administer on their own authority. Access to these new drugs and substances will reduce the need for midwifery clients to seek care outside midwifery for treatment that is within the midwifery scope of practice, improving the quality and timeliness of care for clients.
In order to prescribe and administer opioids on their own authority, midwives must complete specified education and training as outlined in the Registrar’s Policy on Controlled Drugs and Substances Education and Training or Course Requirement or complete the College’s Safe Prescribing and Administration of Controlled Drugs and Substances course.
Those looking for more information on these changes should visit the College's website at www.cmo.on.ca