Regulation - LGIC
Proposed Regulatory Amendments to Ontario Regulation 884/93 (Designated Drugs) made under the Midwifery Act, 1991
Regulation Number(s):
Ontario Regulation 884/93
Instrument Type:
Regulation - LGIC
Bill or Act:
Midwifery Act, 1991
Summary of Proposal:
College Introduction
In Ontario, the regulation of health professions is based on a self-governance model. There are 26 health regulatory colleges governing 28 health professions under the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 (RHPA) and their respective health profession Acts.
Under the RHPA and the Midwifery Act, 1991, the College of Midwives of Ontario (College) is responsible for governing the profession of midwifery in Ontario. Under these Acts, the College has the authority to make regulations on a variety of subjects, including regulations regarding the performance of controlled acts authorized to the profession. The proposed regulation amendments are subject to prior review by the Minister of Health and the approval of the Lieutenant Governor in Council.
Summary
As part of the Ontario 2019 budget, the government announced that it will enable regulated health professionals to use their education and training more effectively by expanding the scope of practice for certain regulated health professionals. This commitment was further iterated in the 2019 Ontario Economic Outlook and Fiscal Review.
The proposal made by the College is intended to ensure that midwives have access to the most up-to-date and relevant drug treatments and therapies for their clients by removing the list of drugs and substances set out in regulation and replacing it with broad categories of drugs and substances from which midwives may prescribe and administer.
The proposed regulation specifies:
• The categories of drugs, including controlled drugs and substances, that midwives may prescribe;
• The categories of drugs that midwives may administer by suppository; and
• The categories of substances that midwives may administer by injection or inhalation.
The College is proposing that midwives must complete additional education that is approved by the College Council in order to prescribe controlled drugs and substances.
The College's proposal is not final. The ministry will consider the feedback received prior to bringing it forward to the Minister of Health for her review and prior to seeking the approval of the Lieutenant Governor in Council.
In Ontario, the regulation of health professions is based on a self-governance model. There are 26 health regulatory colleges governing 28 health professions under the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 (RHPA) and their respective health profession Acts.
Under the RHPA and the Midwifery Act, 1991, the College of Midwives of Ontario (College) is responsible for governing the profession of midwifery in Ontario. Under these Acts, the College has the authority to make regulations on a variety of subjects, including regulations regarding the performance of controlled acts authorized to the profession. The proposed regulation amendments are subject to prior review by the Minister of Health and the approval of the Lieutenant Governor in Council.
Summary
As part of the Ontario 2019 budget, the government announced that it will enable regulated health professionals to use their education and training more effectively by expanding the scope of practice for certain regulated health professionals. This commitment was further iterated in the 2019 Ontario Economic Outlook and Fiscal Review.
The proposal made by the College is intended to ensure that midwives have access to the most up-to-date and relevant drug treatments and therapies for their clients by removing the list of drugs and substances set out in regulation and replacing it with broad categories of drugs and substances from which midwives may prescribe and administer.
The proposed regulation specifies:
• The categories of drugs, including controlled drugs and substances, that midwives may prescribe;
• The categories of drugs that midwives may administer by suppository; and
• The categories of substances that midwives may administer by injection or inhalation.
The College is proposing that midwives must complete additional education that is approved by the College Council in order to prescribe controlled drugs and substances.
The College's proposal is not final. The ministry will consider the feedback received prior to bringing it forward to the Minister of Health for her review and prior to seeking the approval of the Lieutenant Governor in Council.
Analysis of Regulatory Impact:
Midwives will incur costs to complete additional education to safely and competently prescribe controlled drugs and substances. In addition, costs may be incurred to purchase a vaccine refrigerator in any midwifery practice that administers vaccinations. There may also be costs associated with revisions to curricula for midwifery entry to practice education programs.
Further Information:
Draft Regulation
Proposal Number:
20-HLTC026
Posting Date:
June 12, 2020
Comments Due Date:
July 27, 2020
Contact Address:
N/A