Time-Delayed Safes

All community pharmacies in Ontario will be using time-delayed safes. In addition, signs will be displayed at each public entrance to the pharmacy and in the dispensary (where patients drop off and pick up prescriptions). These signs indicate to the public that time-delayed safes are in use.

Thieves rely on getting in and out of the pharmacy quickly and knowing that narcotics are secured in time-delayed safes is a strong deterrent. The purpose of time-delayed safes and prominent signage indicating a time-delayed safe is in use, is to deter thieves from entering the pharmacy at all. Other jurisdictions that have implemented similar mandates saw an immediate decrease in pharmacy robberies, and the goal is to achieve a similar outcome in Ontario.

A time-delayed safe has an electronic timer that prevents access until a pre-set period of time has elapsed after the correct combination has been entered. The province-wide use of time-delayed safes has proven to be an effective robbery deterrent in other jurisdictions such as British Columbia and Alberta.

Although it may take a few extra minutes when picking up prescriptions, patients still have full access to the medications they require from their pharmacy. The introduction of time-delayed safes is another tool to support the security of medications and to help ensure medications are dispensed to patients only.

To protect patients and pharmacy teams, it is important to take preventative measures in the pharmacy space. Creating safer and more secure pharmacies benefits patients and pharmacy team members by reducing the risk of physical and emotional harm, and ensures safe access to care for patients. A safer environment also helps pharmacy professionals ensure the security of prescription drug supply in their communities.

All narcotics must be secured within the community pharmacy’s time-delayed safe.

Narcotics are any product or preparation which contains a drug named in the Schedule to the Narcotic Control Regulations.

If your pharmacy already has a safe without a time-delay mechanism, it may be possible to have a retrofit mechanism installed.

Costs for time-delayed safes vary depending on the size and provider. If your pharmacy already has a safe without a time-delay mechanism, it may be possible to have a retrofit mechanism installed at a lesser cost.

The College recognizes that this implementation requirement may represent an additional cost to the pharmacy. Purchasing a time-delayed safe is an investment in the safety of pharmacy team members and the public, and the security of drugs. There are many costs associated with having a pharmacy robbed, including time off for affected team members, counselling, replacing stolen stock and repairing any damage that occurred during a robbery.

No – all community pharmacies in Ontario are required to install a time-delayed safe as a way to protect patients and pharmacy teams. This decision was approved by the Board at its March 21, 2023 meeting.

Because the College does not have specialized classes of accreditation for community pharmacies based on business models, if your pharmacy is accredited as a community pharmacy by the College you must meet all the requirements of a community pharmacy. This includes installing a time-delayed safe.

The time-delayed safe expectation is outlined in Time-Delayed Safes Policy and the Standards of Operation for Pharmacies.

Because the potential to carry narcotics is always present as pharmacies meet the evolving medication needs of their patients, community pharmacies that currently do not have narcotics on site are still required to install a time-delayed safe.

A unified, Ontario-wide implementation approach is expected to have the impact of deterring pharmacy robberies in all community pharmacies across the province and will help protect patients and pharmacy staff.

The College takes compliance with mandatory requirements for the use of time-delayed safes for securing narcotics, and associated OCP-approved signage very seriously.

During operational assessments of community pharmacies, College staff will verify that the pharmacy has and is properly using a time-delayed safe. In addition, we are conducting random unannounced onsite visits to confirm community pharmacies are following these requirements.

Designated Managers at pharmacies that are not in compliance with time-delayed safes and signage requirements and policies may be subject to investigation. In addition, any follow up audits at the pharmacy to confirm compliance will incur a Pharmacy Re-Inspection Fee (see the Schedule of Fees for the current fee amounts).