Renewing Prescriptions: Five Important Reminders for Pharmacists
Article Updated October 1, 2026
As of October 1, 2026, Health Canada’s Controlled Substances Regulations came into effect. This article has been updated to reflect these changes and remove outdated content.
Pharmacists have the authority to renew a prescription in line with O. Reg 256/24 under the Pharmacy Act and the College’s Pharmacist Prescribing: Initiating, Adapting and Renewing Prescriptions guideline. Here are five key requirements and responsibilities for renewing prescriptions that all pharmacists should know.
1. Pharmacists can renew prescriptions.
Pharmacists, interns and pharmacy students under the supervision of a pharmacist, have the independent authority to renew a prescription for the purpose of continuity of care.
When considering renewing a prescription, pharmacists must assess the situation and consider the following:
- What are the potential risks and benefits to the patient?
- Has the medication been well-tolerated, safe and effective?
- Is the renewal in the best interest of the patient?
- Do I have the knowledge and skill to prescribe the drug based on its indication for use?
- Do I have access to the original prescription or the information it contained?
2. Pharmacists should be indicated as the prescriber on the prescription dispensing record.
When issuing the renewal, you assume full responsibility and accountability for that prescription, and the dispensing record should reflect you as the prescriber. In cases where the patient chooses to take the prescription to another pharmacy to be dispensed, it must still be clear who issued the prescription (i.e., name pharmacist or intern and license number).
3. Pharmacists must document their decision and rationale.
In addition to documenting the renewal itself, and reference to, or a copy of, the original prescription, you must also document your rationale for deciding to renew the prescription.
Documentation in the patient record should be complete, concise, and timely. It should reflect the factors influencing your decision, which may include results of the patient assessment, review of medical history, any lab or other test results considered, potential drug therapy problems, and follow-up and monitoring plan, among other factors.
4. Pharmacists must notify the original prescriber (and primary care provider, if different) of the renewal.
The purpose of prescriber notification is to ensure continuity of care and encourage a collaborative relationship between the pharmacist, the patient, and the patient’s primary health care provider.
After prescribing a renewal, you must always notify the original prescriber, and primary health care provider, if different, within a reasonable period of time. Documentation in the patient record must include the date and method by which the notification occurred.
5. Pharmacists are not limited to only one renewal.
Although the prescribed quantity of a pharmacist’s renewal cannot exceed the total quantity originally prescribed (including refills) that were authorized by the prescriber, OR a twelve-month supply, whichever is less, the regulation (O. Reg. 256/24: General) does not prohibit you from renewing a prescription that was previously renewed by a pharmacist.
This decision, however, must be made following your patient-specific assessment and professional judgment to ensure that the therapy is safe and appropriate considering the patient’s health status, circumstances and overall best interest. Documentation of the assessment must incorporate your clinical reasoning for conducting a renewal or determine if another course of action is more appropriate (e.g. referring the patient to a health care provider for reassessment). Decisions to renew must include a follow up plan to ensure that patients are monitored for continued safety and efficacy from therapy.
You must use your professional judgment to independently assess the situation, and ensure the primary focus is the well-being of the patient when deciding the quantity of drug to prescribe for your renewal.
Extending (Renewing) a Prescription for a Controlled Substance
As of October 1, 2026, the authorities granted by Health Canada’s subsection 56 (1) exemption from the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act were permanently established under the Controlled Substances Regulations. Pharmacists and interns extending (renewing) prescriptions for controlled substances can do so within two years of the date of receipt.
Helpful resources
OCP Guideline – Pharmacist Prescribing: Initiating, Adapting and Renewing Prescriptions