In a groundbreaking move for Canada’s regulatory developments around psychedelics, Alberta has announced it will be introducing quality standards into its Mental Health Services Protection Act for delivering psychedelic-assisted psychotherapies.
Alberta has introduced changes to its Mental Health Services Protection Act which the province says will ensure that safeguards and expert medical oversight are in place for psychedelic-assisted therapy.
To develop a regulatory framework for psychedelic drug treatment, the province has consulted with several experts in psychedelic-assisted therapy, regulatory colleges and professional associations and Alberta Health Services.
Canada recently included psychedelics as part of its Special Access Programme (SAP) which gives authorised patients permission to access psychedelic treatments such as psilocybin and MDMA-assisted therapies. Alberta is the now first province in the country to introduce safeguards in its legislation.
Alberta’s Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, Mike Ellis, stated: “I’m very pleased to be announcing important changes to the Mental Health Services protection regulation that will strengthen our recovery oriented system of care right here in Alberta.
“Both of the changes we are announcing today share a common goal, protecting our communities and ensuring a higher quality of care for patients. The first change today relates to the evolving field of psychedelic assisted therapy.
“I am proud to say that Alberta will be the first jurisdiction in Canada to protect Albertans and support innovation by introducing quality standards for psychedelic assisted therapy. While further study is required, there is promising research on the use of psychedelic-assisted therapy to treat a range of mental health conditions including post traumatic stress disorder and treatment-resistant depression.
“Some of the strongest supporters are among first responders and veterans who suffer from high rates of PTSD and other mental health conditions.”
The province has confirmed that, with certain exceptions, clinics offering psychedelic-assisted treatment must be licensed and have the medical oversight of a psychiatrist.
Additionally, patients undergoing psychedelic drug treatment must be monitored by qualified health professionals if the dosage of the drug brings the patient into an altered state of consciousness.
Co-chair, Alberta Pain Strategy and co-lead, Rapid Access Addiction Medicine Program, Alberta Health Services, Dr Robert Tanguay, stated: “Alberta is the first province to identify and understand that psychedelics are the future area of treatment for so many Canadians struggling with mental health.
“There is an opportunity for Alberta to be a leader in this field, and this begins by recognising the need to protect anyone undergoing these treatments.
“It’s incredible to see Alberta leading the way in psychedelic-assisted therapy by making sure Albertans are protected and working on improving access to care.”
Executive director of Heroic Hearts Project Canada, David Fascinato, commented: “It is my hope that this announcement inspires other jurisdictions in Canada – and abroad – to follow suit by promoting evidence-based therapeutic approaches that can improve the health and wellness of veterans, and opens the door to additional communities that will stand to benefit from equitable access to legal, safe, regulated and affordable psychedelic therapies.”
The new requirements do not apply to clinical research trials or to psychedelics prescribed for the treatment of conditions other than psychiatric disorders, such as pain and cancer.
