AIM Prescription Refill Policy

Please review the following policy that we have in place, to ensure the safety and efficacy and any Rx medication you may be taking that has been prescribed by one of our Naturopathic Doctors. Thank you for understanding, and we look forward to continuing to support your health journey!

1. Maximum Rx Length

The maximum amount of time we can refill any Rx is 6 months (usually dispensed as 3 months, plus 1 refill). Birth Control is the exception, which we can refill for up to 12 months with knowledge of a current, normal Pap test result.

2. Visits Every 6 Months

Please have a visit with your ND at least every 6 months to discuss the progress of your medication (Is it going well? Any side effects? Any reason to change dosages?). We cannot write further Rx refills beyond 6 months since your most recent visit. If you are unable to come in for a visit in person, please book a phone follow up visit, or even just a brief phone call visit if the only issue you would like to discuss is refilling your Rx.

3. Recent Labwork

For some Rx, we will need recent labwork to monitor the safety of your levels and make sure that we have you at the correct dose. These include:

*Thyroid medication (Desiccated Thyroid): labwork (TSH, T3, T4) current within 1 year.

*Birth Control: knowledge of a current, normal Pap test result (within 1-3 years, depending on your most recent recall schedule)

Please note, for any Lifelabs testing (eg. Thyroid levels, Liver Enzymes, Blood sugar, Cholesterol, etc.) your ND is able to order these for you if you are unable to have them ordered through you MD, though there will be the Lifelabs charge for the costs of the tests.

4. Refill Requests from Pharmacies

We are happy to reply to refill requests from your pharmacy, however please note that the same policies regarding length, recent visit, and recent labwork still apply. Please allow 3 business days from when your ND has most recently been in the office for them to review, authorize, and fax any valid refill requests.

5. Delivery of Paper Rx

We request that if at all possible, patients pick up their own paper Rx at the clinic and deliver it to their pharmacy of choice. This ensures that your pharmacy receives it properly, and that all information can be double checked with your extended medical provider, if applicable, for potential coverage. If you are unable to pick up your Rx, our clinic may be able to fax a refill, but there may be a time delay. Please provide our clinic with the name and fax number of the pharmacy where you would like your Rx sent.

6. Emergency Refills

We realize that sometimes life happens, and that you may have to cancel or move an appointment and will no longer fit within the 6 month or 12 month window for your most recent visit or labwork for a particular refill. Should this be the case, please let us know if you are going to run out of your Rx (do not be without it!) and your ND can in most cases provide a one-time, 30 day emergency refill. Before doing so, we do request that you book in your visit (and labwork if applicable) as soon as possible within that next 30 days to ensure that we are properly following up and monitoring your Rx.

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AIM Prescription IV Nutrient & Injection Therapy Policy

In British Columbia, Naturopathic Doctors (ND) require a prescribing license and regular recertification in order to be able to perform Intravenous (IV) Nutrient and Injection Therapies. As such, it is expected by the College of Naturopathic Physicians of BC that any patients receiving injection therapy as prescribed by their ND remain a current patient, and are having their health status regularly monitored. This may include, but is not limited to, regular physical exam such as blood pressure checks and regular bloodwork depending on health history.

As such, we have a few IV Nutrient & Injection Therapy Policies in place to ensure that patients are receiving the most relevant and safe care for them:

1. Must be a current patient

Patients must be a current patient of an ND at AIM clinic. If you have not seen your ND for an initial or follow up visit within the last year, please book a follow up visit before your next injection visit. This is important so that your ND can work with you to make an informed decision about whether IV nutrient and/or Injection Therapy remains safe and relevant for you.

2. Must have a current signed consent

Patients have a current (signed within the last year) Injection Therapy Consent Form on file.

3. Referrals require new consent

Your AIM ND is able to refer you to another AIM ND for injection therapy, when appropriate.  If referred to another ND for injection therapy, patients will be asked to sign a separate consent form for this ND’s own record keeping.

New Injection Patients

4. New patients: Injections only

New patients who are not current patients of an AIM ND, and are interested in booking only low-risk Injection Therapies (B12 shots, Weight Loss Injections, Immune Boosting Injections) must book either a “Initial Naturopathic Visit” or an “Injection-Only Intake” visit with an AIM ND before an Injection Therapy visit.

5. New patients: IVs

New patients who are not current patients of an AIM ND, and are interested in booking IV Nutrient Therapy, Neural Therapy, or Prolotherapy Injections must book an “Initial Naturopathic Visit” visit with an AIM ND prior to an injection visit.

The above policies enable us to meet the requirements set out by the College of Naturopathic Physicians of BC, so we appreciate your understanding of this thorough process.