Legislation

The practice of pharmacy is governed through several pieces of provincial and federal legislation. The most relevant acts and regulations are listed below. Please note that the College cannot provide legal advice. 

Federal Acts & Regulations

Accessible from: Justice Laws website 

• Cannabis Act, 2018 
  • Cannabis Regulations 

• Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, 1996 (CDSA) 
  • Benzodiazepines and Other Targeted Substances Regulations 
  • Narcotic Control Regulations 
  • Precursor Control Regulations 

• Food and Drugs Act, 1985 (FDA) 
  • Cannabis Exemption Regulations 
  • Food and Drug Regulations 
  • Medical Devices Regulations  
  • Natural Health Products Regulations 
  • Order Establishing Supplementary Rules Respecting the Sale of Natural Health Products Containing Ephedrine or Pseudoephedrine  
  • Supplementary Rules Respecting Nicotine Replacement Therapies Order 

Provincial Acts & Regulations 

Accessible from: Ontario e-Laws website 

• Drug Interchangeability and Dispensing Fee Act, 1990 (DIDFA) 
  • Ontario Regulation 935 – General 
  • Ontario Regulation 936 – Notice to Patients 

• Drug and Pharmacies Regulation Act, 1990 (DPRA) 
  • Ontario Regulation 264/16 – General 

• Fixing Long-Term Care Act, 2021 
  • O. Reg. 246/22: GENERAL 

• Laboratory and Specimen Collection Centre Licensing Act, 1990 
  • O. Reg. 45/22: GENERAL 

• Narcotics Safety and Awareness Act, 2010 (NSAA) 
  • Ontario Regulation 381/11 – General 

• Ontario Drug Benefit Act, 1990 (ODBA) 
  • Ontario Regulation 201/96 – General 

• Personal Health Information Protection Act, 2004 (PHIPA) 
  • Ontario Regulation 329/04 – General 

• Pharmacy Act, 1991 (PA) 
  • Ontario Regulation 256/24 – General 
  • Ontario Regulation 130/17 – Professional Misconduct and Conflict of Interest 

• Public Hospitals Act, 1990 (PHA) 
  • RRO Regulation 965 — Hospital Management 
  • RRO Regulation 964 — Classification of Hospitals 

• Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 (RHPA) 
  • Ontario Regulation 59/94 – Funding for Therapy or Counselling for Patients Sexually Abused by Members 
  • Ontario Regulation 107/96 – Controlled Acts 
  • Ontario Regulation 39/02 – Certificates of Authorization 
  • Ontario Regulation 260/18 – Patient Criteria Under Subsection 1(6) of the Health Professions Procedural Code 
  • Ontario Regulation 261/18 – Information Prescribed Under Subsection 23(2) of the Health Professions Procedural Code 
  • Ontario Regulation 262/18 – Prescribed Offences – Health Professions Procedural Code 

• Safeguarding our Communities Act (Patch for Patch Return Policy), 2015 
  • Ontario Regulation 305/16 – General