This page contains selected frequently asked questions from patients and members of the public regarding pharmacies, pharmacy professionals, the College and general pharmacy care.
Public > Public/Patient Frequently Asked Questions
There are two ways to let the College know if you have a concern about the care or services provided by a pharmacist, pharmacy technician or pharmacy in Ontario: report information or file a complaint. To understand your options, please review the information on the Report Concerns webpage.
Where it is comfortable and appropriate to do so, we also encourage you to talk directly with your pharmacist and/or the Designated Manager of the pharmacy to address your concern before filing a complaint with the College.
The dispensing or professional fee that is charged for every filled prescription can vary between pharmacies. The Ontario College of Pharmacists does not set fees or set restrictions on fees. The fee is sometimes referred to as the “usual and customary” fee and is required to be posted in a location visible to every patient. For more information on billing practices, please visit our What to Expect at the Pharmacy webpage.
College staff cannot direct a pharmacist or pharmacy technician to provide a specific treatment or service. We do not have jurisdiction to award damages or require a registrant to provide compensation. If you are seeking compensation for harm caused, you may wish to speak with a lawyer.
No. Ontario pharmacies can only dispense prescriptions authorized or signed by a prescriber licensed in a Canadian province or territory.
All pharmacies accredited by the Ontario College of Pharmacists (College) are “bricks and mortar” pharmacies within the province. These pharmacies may sell medications over the internet according to the College’s policy on Operating Internet Sites. 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 on the College’s public register.