Pharmacies

A Certificate of Accreditation may only be issued to a “bricks and mortar” pharmacy at a specific municipal address. There is no separate class of accreditation for online or internet pharmacies.

All pharmacies must meet the standards for accreditation and operation, as defined in the Drug and Pharmacies Regulation Act, 1990 and as established by the College. Please refer to Accreditation and Operation of a Pharmacy Guidance for more information and links to the relevant resources.

An accredited pharmacy may conduct business over the internet according to the College’s Operating Internet Sites Policy. This policy requires the pharmacy’s website to have its accreditation (“license”) number and the name of the Designated Manager so it can be verified by the pubic on the College’s public register.

When a pharmacy is accredited, the Point of Care sign, the Usual & Customary Fee and Notice to Patients signs will be provided by the College after completion of a satisfactory accreditation assessment and are to be posted as soon as possible after they are received.

Signage for time-delayed safes can be downloaded directly from the Time-Delayed Safes webpage.

Signage for Remote Dispensing Locations can be accessed via the Checklist for Opening a Remote Dispensing Location Staffed by a Pharmacy Technician.

To order replacements of any physical signage, please email: [email protected].

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.

Registrants must only engage in restocking of drugs under the authority of the accredited hospital pharmacy where the pharmacy has established this practice as permitted through the DPRA, O. Reg. 264/16, s.20.

With respect to the integrity of the drug, it is the College’s expectation that the accredited hospital pharmacy ensures that the drug has been in the possession of a licensed healthcare professional at all times (from time of dispensing to time of return to the pharmacy). If the drug has left the possession of a licensed healthcare professional, even for a short period of time, the drug integrity cannot be verified and restocking is not permitted. The licensed healthcare professional who has been in possession of the drug should confirm that the drug has been stored in accordance with the manufacturer’s requirements (e.g. appropriate temperature, etc.).