March Council Update

March 21, 2025 |
CPSM Council

Addition of non-exempted codeine to the M3P schedule

 

Non-exempted codeine products (including Tylenol #3, Tylenol #2, and cotridin) will be added to the Manitoba Prescribing Practices (M3P) schedule, effective Monday, June 2, 2025. Council added a stipulation that prescribing and fatalities data will be reviewed and evaluated within one year to ensure the intended patient safety of this change impacts align with the outcomes.   

 

A public consultation seeking feedback on this change was held from January 13 – February 18, 2025. We thank everyone who submitted their feedback.

 

Implementation of this change will be supported with education, communication, and support for those requiring it.

 

We recognize there are concerns about administrative burdens. We want to highlight the following: 

  •  M3P prescription booklets (also known as triplicate or duplicate pads), which were identified as burdensome, have been phased out and have not been available since August 2024. We highly recommend using M3P prescription templates which are available to registrants in the CPSM Portal. These M3P prescription templates can be uploaded into your EMR system.
  • This change is not intended to restrict patient access to codeine. While all opioids carry both benefits and risks, physicians should continue to prescribe opioids when clinically indicated.

 

Updated Policies and New Practice Direction

At this meeting, the Council approved the following new or updated policies and Practice Direction. 

 

1) Amendment to Council Policy – Registration in Provisional Specialty Practice-Limited, Assessment Candidate Speciality Practice, and Provisional Non-Practicing Classes

The policy was amended to add a Practice Ready Assessments (PRA) exemption.

The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) has created a certification pathway, the Practice Eligibility Route, allowing internationally trained specialists to obtain RCPSC certification after demonstrating competency through a combination of assessment, examination, and Canadian practice experience.

In Manitoba, internationally trained specialists are assessed through a Practice Ready Assessment. While PRAs provide value for meeting our public protection mandate, they are limited in availability and require sponsorship.

An amendment to the policy allows for an alternate path if they have obtained eligibility for RCPSC certification through the practice eligibility route and meet specified criteria: completed certification examination, agree to an undertaking to complete an orientation plan, receive mentorship and support commitment from their practice, who must endorse waiving the PRA.

This change makes Manitoba a more competitive place to practice while maintaining high standards without risking patient safety.

 

2) Practice Direction for Professional Practice and Inactivity

The Practice Direction – Professional Practice and Inactivity was updated to remove potentially confusing language related to Family Practice Obstetrics requirements.

 

A public consultation was held in January and we heard the proposed language was still confusing. Additional advice was sought from CPSM Councillors who practice Obstetrics & Gynecology and the Practice Direction was rewritten to provide clearer direction.

 

View the updated Practice Direction for Professional Practice and Inactivity here. 

 

3) New Council Policy for Provisional Family Practice Registration

The new Council Policy for Registration in Provisional Family Practice-Limited, Provisional Non-Practicing, and Assessment Candidate Family Practice Classes is effective immediately. The policy has been reviewed and endorsed by the Board of Assessors.

 

The new policy is consistent with current policies and procedures; most changes added explanatory notes. This policy replaces sections 2.2.1., 2.10 and Schedule A of the Registration and Qualifications Practice Direction.

 

View the Council Policy for Registration in Provisional Family Practice-Limited, Provisional Non-Practicing, and Assessment Candidate Family Practice Classes here.

 

4) Amendment to Council Policy for English Language Proficiency

The Manitoba government has issued a new regulation, coming into effect on March 26, 2025, that applies to English language testing requirements in Manitoba. The purpose is to reduce barriers and ensure screening tools are necessary and reasonable.

 

Section 10.1 of Manitoba’s Fair Registration Practices in Regulated Professions Act states that regulated professions accept the following prescribed tests:

 

(a) the Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP) General Test;

(b) the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) General Test.

 

CPSM currently accepts IELTS Academic. Therefore, the existing ELP policy required updating to comply with this new legal requirement. Updates include accepting IELTS General (in addition to IELTS Academic) and accepting a combined test result from the applicant if the testing organization/institution that developed the accepted language test offers the option.

 

     View the amended policy here.

 

Council Elections

 

In accordance with the CPSM Affairs of the College Bylaw, elections for members of CPSM Council take place in the spring. This year, elections are required for the following: 

 

  1. One seat in the East Electoral District (by-election for a one-year term).
  2. One Regulated Associate Member seat (annual election for a one-year term).

In accordance with the Affairs of the College Bylaw:

  • If your primary practice location is in the East Electoral District or if you are a Regulated Associate Member, you will have received a Notice of Election, a voters list, nomination form and procedures by email on March 18.
  • Nominations are due on or before noon on April 8, 2025.
  • Ballots will be sent out on April 15, 2024.
  • The deadline for voting will be noon on May 6, 2025.
  • The ballots and voting instructions are sent out via VoteNet and voting is done electronically through VoteNet.