These are two distinct factors which must be considered independently in a scenario where the pharmacy professional is both dispensing and administering a substance.
“Schedules” are included in legislation to provide details (such as lists and tables) that aren’t suitable for including in the main content of the Act or Regulation. There are four schedules in O. Reg. 256/24 under the Pharmacy Act:
In terms of scope of practice, pharmacists are authorized to administer a substance in Schedule 1 by injection, a substance in Schedule 2 by inhalation, or a vaccine in Schedule 3. (Schedule 4 relates to pharmacist prescribing and not to administration.)
Separately and distinctly, O. Reg. 264/16 under the Drug and Pharmacies Regulation Act requires pharmacies to follow the conditions of sale for a drug according to the NAPRA National Drug Schedules:
- Schedule I: Drugs require a prescription; only available from the dispensary
- Schedule II: Drugs do not require a prescription but do require intervention from the pharmacist; available from an area of the pharmacy where there is no opportunity for patient self-selection
- Schedule III: Drugs do not require a prescription, but a pharmacist or intern must be available for consultation; available for self-selection from the professional products area (within 10m/30ft of the dispensary)
- Schedule U: Drugs do not require a prescription or professional supervision; available from any retail outlet
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