COVID-19


Last Update: May 19, 2022

Prescribing changes during COVID-19


Remote Prescribing Options Preferred

Physicians are reminded to use the fax or phone options rather than written paper prescriptions for prescribing if they do not have the ability to use EMR prescribing.  This practice is intended to reduce the potential for transmission of infection through handling of the physical prescriptions.  Please continue to use the remote options for prescribing whenever possible.


Drug Plan and Extended Benefits - changes due to pandemic
     - Prescription Quantity Restrictions- Updated List of Restrictions (MoH) (Apr 14, 2020)
     - Listing of Commercially Available Methadone Products (Methadose, Metadol-D and generic brands) (MoH) (Apr 14, 2020)
     - Interim Measures Related to Exception Drug Status (EDS) Coverage During COVID-19 Pandemic - Automatic Extension of EDS Coverage (SHA) (Apr 9, 2020)


Interim Measures Related to Exception Drug Status (EDS) During COVID-19 Pandemic – Updated Listing of DOACs (MoH) (Apr 9, 2020)

Interactive Map of Participating Pharmacies for the prescribing and dispensing of Paxlovid (MoH) (May 19, 2022)

Advisory from medSask

Specific drugs have become newly shorted because of COVID-19 treatment and interrupted distribution of raw materials from other countries. Below are some resources and therapeutic alternatives for specific medications and associated populations:



Strategies for Safer Telephone and Other Verbal Orders in Defined Circumstances (ISMP)

Medication orders (prescriptions) conveyed verbally by telephone or in person are prone to errors. Problems can arise if a medication order is miscommunicated, misheard, or incorrectly transcribed. ISMP Canada encourages the use of written orders, including electronic orders, to prevent medication errors. However, the current pandemic has increased the need for and frequency of telephone and other verbal orders. This bulletin shares recommendations for practitioners to minimize the risk of errors when communicating medication orders verbally.  
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