New Controlled Substances Regulations Take Effect October 1, 2026: What Pharmacy Technicians Need to Know
On October 1, 2026, Health Canada’s new Controlled Substances Regulations will come into effect. For pharmacy technicians and intern technicians, these changes will introduce several new authorities and responsibilities.
Key Changes
As of October 1, 2026, pharmacy technicians and intern technicians will be authorized to:
Accept verbal prescriptions for controlled substances from a practitioner
- What this looks like in practice: Can receive a prescription for a controlled substance (narcotic, controlled drug, or targeted substance) from a practitioner (e.g., physician, nurse practitioner).
- Resources to support your practice:
- Controlled Substances: Prescription Regulation Summary Chart (October 1, 2026 version)
- Legal Authority for Scope of Practice / Authorized Acts (October 1, 2026 version)
Receive controlled substances
- What this looks like in practice: Can sign for receipt of controlled substances from a licensed dealer, a pharmacist, practitioner, or hospital (in the case of an emergency). Only pharmacists can order controlled substances.
- Resources to support your practice:
- Controlled Substances: Sales Pursuant to an Order Fact Sheet (October 1, 2026 version)
- Controlled Substances: Purchase & Sale Records Fact Sheet (October 1, 2026 version)
- Controlled Substances: Security and Reconciliation Fact Sheet (October 1, 2026 version)
Transfer prescriptions for controlled substances
- What this looks like in practice: Can transfer prescriptions for controlled substances to another pharmacy technician or pharmacist in Canada within two years of the date the controlled substance prescription was received.
- Resources to support your practice:
- Prescription Transfers Fact Sheet (October 1, 2026 version)
Destroy controlled substances
- What this looks like in practice: Can destroy, or act as a witness during the destruction of controlled substances at a pharmacy or hospital.
- Resources to support your practice:
Preparing for the Changes
Pharmacy technicians and intern technicians are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the upcoming changes before the regulations take effect by reviewing our Controlled Substances Regulations Information Hub.
Understanding these changes now will help you confidently navigate the updated regulatory environment and support the safe management of controlled substances in pharmacy practice.
Have questions about the Controlled Substances Regulations? Reach out to the Office of Controlled Substances at: [email protected] or 613-952-2177.