I received a summons from another regulatory body requesting patient identifying information for an investigation. Is there any requirement on my part to obtain patient consent to release this confidential information?

Please refer to the Releasing Personal Health Information Fact Sheet, which describes a few of the more common disclosures permitted by health information custodians, which pharmacists are, under the Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA). You can also to refer to the legislation directly for complete details or contact the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario. 

Regarding requests from health regulatory colleges in Ontario, all colleges – including the College – must follow the same Health Professions Procedural Code (set out in the Regulated Health Professions Act). Colleges also establish Rules of Procedure, as any hearings in Ontario must meet the standard for procedural fairness mandated by the Statutory Powers Procedure Act. You could reach out to the investigator directly regarding questions about their rules of procedure. 

Specific to fentanyl, please refer to the Patch-For-Patch Fentanyl Return Program Fact Sheet. Regulation 305/16 under the Safeguarding Our Communities Act (Patch for Patch Return Policy) has specific provisions for dispensers providing information to law enforcement. Please refer to section 4(3) under ‘Contingency Plan’ in the regulations.