Overview

The Narcotics Monitoring System (NMS) has been developed to collect and store information on prescribing and dispensing activities for these medications. The information collected by the monitoring system will be used for improving prescribing and dispensing practices and to help reduce the use of prescription drugs for improper purposes.

Dispensers are required to submit dispensing information about all Monitored drugs to the NMS, and must do so in accordance with the Ontario Drug Programs Reference Manual (PDF).

Other initiatives underway include:

  • supporting education programs for health care providers in areas of the province where greater problems exist
  • Ontario’s Opioids Strategy
  • substance abuse treatment programs (including withdrawal management, community counselling and residential treatment and support services)

Learn more about additional support.

Monitored Drugs List

The Narcotics Safety and Awareness Act, 2010 and its requirements apply to a list of prescription medications called Monitored drugs. The Monitored Drugs List (MDL) provides a list of products that the Ministry of Health has selected for monitoring. This list will be used as a reference to determine if a submission to the Narcotics Monitoring System (NMS) is required for the product being dispensed.

Important: This list may not be comprehensive and may change as modifications are made to the federal Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and has been compiled in order to facilitate health care providers in identifying these medications

Monitored drugs list

January 30, 2026

Monitored drugs list (Excel)

Monitored drugs list summary of changes

January 30, 2026

Monitored drugs list summary of changes (PDF)

For previous versions, please contact publicdrugprgrms.moh@ontario.ca.

XML data extract

January 30, 2026

XML data extract

Disclaimer

If you require this information in an alternative format, please contact publicdrugprgrms.moh@ontario.ca. We will:

  • acknowledge your request within 3 business days
  • provide you with the content within 15 business days

Additional resources

For more information including general and scenario specific questions and answers to help you better understand the legislation, its regulations and how they apply to your responsibilities in dealing with patients, please refer to the documents below.