(Saskatchewan) Methadone Prescriptions

On September 1, 2022, commercially prepared methadone products were added to the

Saskatchewan formulary as non-interchangeable. The added drugs included the following:

  • DIN 2244290 Metadol-D 10mg/mL

  • DIN 2394618 Methadose (Dye Free) 10mg/mL

  • DIN 2394596 Methadose (Cherry) 10mg/mL

Since November 30, 2022, compounded methadone is no longer covered by the provincial plan. To fill methadone prescriptions, a methadone Drug Folder must be used.

In order to switch patients from compounded methadone to the commercially prepared products in PharmaClik Rx, you must create a new prescription on the Profile for each patient. The QA of the new prescription should be the quantity remaining on the existing prescription for the compounded methadone preparation.

Setting Up the Methadone Drug Folder

Methadone Pack Sizes

There are two or three pack sizes available in the methadone Drug Folders. The choice of

pack size depends on the volume quantities of methadone you need to dispense:

  • 100/1,000 – used to bill per mL. If you are dispensing whole number volume quantities of methadone, you can use the 1,000 pack size and enter quantities in Rx Detail as mL.

  • 10,000 – used to bill per mg. If you need to dispense decimal volume quantities of methadone, you must use the 10,000 pack size and enter quantities in Rx Detail as mg.

Once you have selected a default pack size, you should only be dispensing from that pack

size (i.e., not switching between per mg and per mL billing).

Third Party Rules

If you are entering quantities in mg in Rx Detail (i.e., using the 10,000 pack size), you will need a TP Rule to adjudicate the quantity in mL for Saskatchewan Health. Other third parties may require TP Rules as well.

To set up a TP Rule for a methadone Drug Folder:

  1. Open the Drug Folder. Select TP Rules.

  2. Select Add.

  3. Select Saskatchewan Health from the dropdown.

  4. Select the 10,000 pack size.

  5. In the Rx Qty field, enter 10.

  6. In the TP Qty field, enter 1.

  7. Repeat steps 2 – 6 for any remaining third parties that require a quantity conversion rule.

  8. Select OK.

  9. Select Save.

Filling a Methadone Prescription

To fill a methadone prescription:

  1. Create a new or refill prescription using the methadone Drug Folder.

  2. If this is a new prescription, enter the appropriate quantity authorized in the QA field. Ensure the correct quantity in mg or mL is entered according to the pack size being used.

  3. In the Qty field, enter the number of mg or mL of methadone that is being dispensed. Ensure the correct quantity in mg or mL is entered according to the pack size being used.

  4. Enter the remaining prescription information (SIG, days supply, V/W, etc.).

  5. Dropdown the Unit field and select the correct unit of measure according to the pack size being used.

  6. Select the Rx Detail Third Party tab and confirm the TP Qty being submitted is the correct quantity of methadone in mL.

  7. Select Fill.