Drug Plan and Extended Benefits Branch (DPEBB) program policies are now available on the Saskatchewan Drug Plan webpage. For current policies, please visit the DPEBB public webpage here: Home Page – Online Formulary 2026
DPEBB Professional Services Chart
This handy chart presents an overview of all current provincially funded services in Saskatchewan. You will find:
- Descriptions,
- Notes and limitations
- Regulatory notes
- Service fees
- PseudoDINS
(Updated October 2, 2026)
The DPEBB Professional Services Chart has been updated with the new 2026-2029 Pharmacy Proprietor Agreement. As significant revisions have been made to this document, please confirm details with the policies as necessary
DPEBB-Professional-services-chart-with-PseudoDins-October-2026-update
Pharmacist Scope of Practice Reminder – Invasive Group A Streptococcus Chemoprophylaxis
On June 1, 2026 the Saskatchewan College of Pharmacy Professionals (SCPP) enabled Level II Prescribing Authority by pharmacists for chemoprophylaxis for invasive Group A Streptococcus (iGAS). This prescriptive authority is authorized for all pharmacists without any formal training requirements or need to have conditions removed from a licence before prescribing.
Patients who are close contacts of iGAS will receive a letter from public health identifying them as high risk; asymptomatic contacts are instructed to seek a prescription for iGAS chemoprophylaxis from a prescriber (e.g. pharmacist). These patients require timely access to treatment to minimize their risk of developing manifestations of iGAS including necrotizing fasciitis, myositis, or gangrene, meningitis, or Streptococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome.
All pharmacists are now enabled to prescribe for these patients, following the medSask guidelines and documenting on the medSask PAR. Additional details on regulatory requirements can be found SCPP’s webpage: Prof Practice – Prescribing Authority – Saskatchewan College of Pharmacy Professionals
Funding for the prescribing of iGAS is outlined in the Drug Plan and Extended Benefits Branch iGAS Chemoprophylaxis Program Policy and Procedures: 20260601_Policy_DPEB_PPS7_iGASChemoprophylaxis.pdf
The PAS, “Ministry of Health, Drug Plan and Extended Benefits Branch (DPEBB) Funded Professional Services in Saskatchewan” chart contains details about the program.
An infographic has also been developed to share with pharmacy staff to help ensure they are aware of this program.
Advanced Prescribing A (Therapeutic Substitution) – NEW August 19, 2025
The Drug Plan and Extended Benefits Branch will pay community pharmacies for the decision making and prescribing by pharmacists and for communicating with the general practitioner, when a pharmacist prescribes a therapeutic substitution. Therapeutic substitution is intended to support access to Saskatchewan’s healthcare system by supporting pharmacists to practice to their full scope.
DPEBB Advanced Prescribing A – Therapeutic Substitution Policy – (New link coming after policy update)
DPEBB FAQ for Advanced Prescribing A – Click here
PAS Advanced Prescribing A Summary Poster – Click here for colour. Click here for B/W
Pharmacists must complete the training required by SCPP Council and have conditions on their licensed removed prior to submitting for reimbursement under the Advanced Prescribing “A” Program.
SCPP APA Policy: REF_APA_Therapeutic_Substitutions_Policy.pdf
Training and Education Requirements: Professional Practice – Training – Saskatchewan College of Pharmacy Professionals
Direct Observed Therapy (DOT)
The Drug Plan and Extended Benefits Branch (DPEBB) will remunerate pharmacies for witnessing the administration of approved Hepatitis C medications to eligible patients. The purpose of this program is to optimize patient medication adherence by reducing the risk of treatment interruption for approved Hepatitis C medications.
20260501_Policy_DPEB_PPS22_DirectObservedTherapy.pdf
#637 Pharmacy Information Bulletin April 2017.pdf
#645 Pharmacy Information Bulletin August 2017
#663 Pharmacy Information Bulletin April 2018
#165 Saskatchewan Formulary Bulletin April 2017.pdf
#170 Saskatchewan Formulary Bulletin April 2018 – Hepatitis C.pdf
Saskatchewan Medication Assessment Program (SMAP)
The Saskatchewan Medication Assessment Program or SMAP is a provincial program available to beneficiaries under the Drug Plan and Extended Benefits Branch (DPEBB) who are community-based, living in their own residence or eligible group homes:
- aged 60 and older, and
- patient is taking:
- three(3) or more chronic schedule medications, or
- an anticoagulant listed on the Saskatchewan Formulary or a
- medication on the Beers Criteria (2023) or STOPP Criteria (v.3 2023).
These patients may receive an annual medication assessment and if eligible and require, follow-ups and compliance packaging.
Patients living in their own residence, an approved licensed personal care home, or in a CLSD approved private service home, or group home are eligible for an annual medication assessment.
Patients living in their own residence or a licensed personal care home with twenty (20) beds or less, or in a CLSD approved private service home or group home are eligible for compliance packaging.
20260501_Policy_DPEB_PPS17_SaskatchewanMedicationAssessment’.pdf
New Mandatory SMAP Documentation
The Ministry of Health recently announced changes to the Saskatchewan Medication Assessment Program (SMAP) documentation as noted in the #639 Pharmacy Information Bulletin – SMAP Documentation.
You will be required to use the new forms (below) in order for your pharmacy to receive remuneration from the Drug Plan and Extended Benefits Branch (DPEBB) for conducting a medication assessment under SMAP. If you have your own forms, they must be approved by the DPEBB prior to use in order for the SMAP fees to be eligible for remuneration. All previously approved forms will need to be re-approved to ensure they meet the DPEBB’s current requirements of the program.
SMAP consent – updated January, 2026 fillable
SMAP consent – updated June 27 2025
Virtual or Telephone SMAPs
In 2020 the DPEBB enabled changes to the SMAP and Medication Assessment and Compliance Packaging policies to allow for virtual or telephone delivery of services in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. These policy changes have remained in effect, and pharmacies may still provide SMAP services virtually or over the telephone when patients are unable to attend an in-person appointment.
#724 Pharmacy Information Bulletin March 2020 (SMAP Compliance Packagin Update)
#729 Pharmacy Infomration Bulletin April 2020 (Virtual Care PEXIP)
Pharmacist Guide to SMAP
The Pharmacist Guide to SMAP (the “Guide”) was developed by PAS and the staff at the Medication Assessment Centre (MAC) to support pharmacists and pharmacy students. The Guide showcases a stepwise approach to performing a medication assessment and demonstrates how the process can be applied to the new SMAP documentation forms (or any other medication assessment documentation).
Medication Assessment & Compliance Packaging Program (MACPP)
Eligible Drug Plan Extended Benefits Branch (DPEBB) beneficiaries may receive an annual medication assessment and compliance packaging if they are:
- receiving homecare or mental health services, living in their own homes or
- any patients living in an approved Community Living Service Delivery Group Homes (CLSD), or approved Private Service Homes.
Please note: Although specific documentation is not mandatory, pharmacists are encouraged to use SMAP documentation for consistency.
Please review the MA Program Comparison Chart for Eligibility.
Medication Assessment Program Comparison Chart
20260501_Policy_DPEB_PPS18_MedicationAssessmentandCompliancePackaging.pdf
Home Care-Mental Health Request Form
Program overview for eligible clients living in a Community Living Service Delivery (CLSD) licensed group home or approved private service home.
Virtual or Telephone Medication Assessments
In 2020 the DPEBB enabled changes to the SMAP and Medication Assessment and Compliance Packaging policies to allow for virtual or telephone delivery of services in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. These policy changes have remained in effect, and pharmacies may still provide SMAP services virtually or over the telephone when patients are unable to attend an in-person appointment.
#724 Pharmacy Information Bulletin March 2020 (SMAP Compliance Packagin Update)
#729 Pharmacy Infomration Bulletin April 2020 (Virtual Care PEXIP)
Minor Ailment Prescribing
In Saskatchewan Minor Ailment prescribing falls under Level 1 Prescriptive Authority
Authority following a structured (algorithm/protocol) approach. A full overview of the regulatory requirements for Level 1 Prescriptive Authority can be found on the Sasktchewan College of Pharmacy Professionals website.
Saskatchewan pharmacists can access the medSask documents through the Saskatchewan Health Information Resources Program (SHIRP). You can register for access on the SHIRP website.
Pharmacists providing minor ailment services to patients must follow the most recent Minor Ailment Guidelines and Documentation developed by medSask. Updates to Guidelines can happen at any time so check back often or subscribe to medSask News to receive email notifications.
20260501_Policy_DPEB_PPS3_MinorAilmentsSelf-Care.pdf
Prescriptive Authority (Level 1) Prescribing
All Level 1 prescriptive authority activities, apart from Minor Ailment prescribing, are referenced within the DPEBB Level 1 Prescriptive Authority Program Policy and Procedures.
The DPEBB will reimburse community pharmacies when a pharmacist prescribes a schedule 1 drug according to the Regulatory Bylaws of the Saskatchewan College of Pharmacy Professionals. Pharmacists must fully complete the Pharmacist Assessment Record (PAR) and, when required, provide the PAR to the patient’s primary and/or prescribing practitioner.
- Continuing Existing Prescriptions – Interim Supplies
- Patient requires interim supplies because remaining supplies will not be sufficient until the date of their next appointment with a practitioner
- Continuing Existing Prescriptions – Unable to Access
- Patient is unable to access their supplies due to distance or other reasons
- Continuing Existing Prescriptions – Emergency Situations (Life Threatening)
- Patient is in an emergency situation that is life threatening and requires supplies until they can consult a practitioner
- Continuing Existing Prescriptions – Emergency Situations (Interruption in Drug Therapy)
- Patient is in an emergency situation where interruption in drug therapy will result in serious or imminent harm to the patient’s health or well-being, and requires supplies until they an consult a practitioner
- Missing Information
- Pharmacist may alter missing information in order to dispense the drug
- Dosage Form
- Pharmacist may alter dosage form if more beneficial for the patient
- Enhancing Safety and Drug Effectiveness
- Pharmacist may alter the dosage amount or dosage regimen to enhance the safety and effectiveness (imminent harm, obvious error, antibiotic & opioid stewardship)
- Drug Reconciliation
- Pharmacist may prescribe a drug to a patient recently discharged if the patient has not obtained a continuing prescription while in hospital, licensed special care home, or personal care home and the pharmacist determines the patient should receive the drug.
- Exemptions for Extraordinary Circumstances – Therapeutic Substitution
- If in the opinion of the Registrar, extraordinary circumstances exist which demonstrate that it is in the public interest to do so, the Registrar may authorize pharmacists to make a therapeutic substitution for a drug without complying with the practice, training, and competency requirements for Level 2 Prescriptive Authority
Controlled Drugs and Substances
Under the Section 56 Exemption (Oct. 1, 2021 – Sept. 30 -2026) pharmacists are able to extend or renew prescriptions for Controlled Drug and Substances Act (CDSA) medications. Level 1 Prescriptive Authority in Saskatchewan can be applied to CDSA drugs for continuing prescriptions, drug reconciliation, and altering prescriptions (i.e. enhancing safety and drug effectiveness, dosage form). Pharmacists are not able to initiate new prescriptions for controlled substances under this exemption.
Medications under the Prescription Review Program that are not CDSA drugs (e.g. gabapentin, oxybutynin) are eligible for all Level 1 prescriptive authority practices where appropriate.
A full overview of the regulatory requirements for Level 1 Prescriptive Authority can be found on the Sasktchewan College of Pharmacy Professionals website.
20260501_Policy_DPEB_PPS4_PrescriptiveAuthority.pdf
Please note:
Details pertaining to Minor Ailment Prescribing are outdated in the above documents. For updated information, please refer to the Minor Ailments section on this Professional Services page.
Partnership to Assist with Cessation of Tobacco (PACT)
PACT is a tobacco cessation program available to beneficiaries of the provincial Drug Plan. It incorporates Prochaska’s “Stage of Change” theory and principles of Motivational Interviewing to support patients through their quit journey. Click here for more pharmacist and patient materials to support the delivery of the program.
PAS in partnership with USask CPE and the SCA has updated PACT 1 & 2, the Oncology, and the Indigenous Tobacco training modules. The updated training modules are available on the USask CPE website. The updated training is free for all Saskatchewan pharmacists and pharmacy students.
*Please note: certification is required for any PACT counseling that is Bronze Plus and up*
Mandatory Documentation
The PACT forms below have been developed by PAS to fulfill the documentation requirements of the PACT Policy and Procedure. All forms are mandatory if billing the Drug Plan.
Please note:
Documentation other than the forms produced by PAS must be approved by the Drug Plan to prevent audit clawback.
Includes:
- 2A – Cessation of Tobacco, and
- 2B – Review of Patient’s Smoking/Tobacco Use
STEP 3 – Personalized Care Plan
STEP 4 – Practitioner Communication Letter
STEP 5 – Group Session Individual Consent and Registration
Billing Policy
The complete policy and procedure requirements of the program including beneficiaries, pseudoDINS, and program limitations can be found in the documents below.
Methadone and Suboxone (Buprenorphine/Naloxone)Managed Care
A managed care fee may be charged to the Drug Plan when a pharmacist provides in-person managed care and follow-up services for patients receiving methadone or Suboxone for opioid use disorder. Off-site care may be provided when a community pharmacy employs a nurse to perform managed care and follow-up services.
20260501_Policy_DPEB_PPS20_Methadone.pdf
Injection Administration
An injection administration fee may be charged to the drug plan for pharmacists with Advanced Method Certification (and meeting the Saskatchewan College of Pharmacy Professionals competency requirements) administering eligible medications by injection for patients. Current eligible medications include:
- Medroxyprogesterone acetate
- Long-acting antipsychotics (single use or multi-use)
- Buprenorphine (Sublocade)
- Testosterone
20260501_Policy_DPEB_PPS16_InjectionAdministration.pdf
Vaccine and Injectable Drug Resources | medSask
Note: Advanced Method Certification through USask CPE does not include the performing of administration of drugs within the ventrogluteal site. Pharmacists should use self-directed learning strategies to assure competency in the relevant route of administration. Pharmacists who are not confident in their abilities are expected to determine whether they can safely administer the drug or whether a referral to another health professional would be in the patient’s best interest.
Pharmacists may contact USask CPE regarding refresher training, including administration within the ventrogluteal site, if needed to ensure competency.
COVID-19 Antivirals
PaxlovidTM Limited Access EDS Updates June 2024
Limited Access Exception Drug Status (EDS) Application June 3 2024
Limited Access Exception Drug Status (EDS) Application Q and A June 3 2024
#889 Paxlovid Limited Access EDS Application (LAEA)
COVID-19 Antiviral policies have been updated, and prescribing criteria should refer to the most up-to-date documentation provided by the Ministry of Health. The following documents are maintained for your information as they provide useful information on resources and maintaining involvement with the PaxlovidTM program in Saskatchewan.
Pharmacy FAQs #2 on PaxlovidTM
Paxlovid Distribution, Prescribing, and Assessment Policy
Evushelf For The Preventions of COVID-19 June 2022 Bulletin
Take Home Naloxone Program
20260501_Policy_DPEB_PPS23_TakeHomeNaloxoneFee.pdf
