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The Practice Review Program is fully underway in community pharmacies across the province. As Compliance Officers conduct more practice reviews, they are noticing opportunities for the College to provide clarification to pharmacy professionals on selected areas of common concern.
This installment of Practice Review Program Insights focuses on the importance of signing for narcotic invoices.
It is the responsibility of the pharmacy manager to ensure that all records related to the purchase and receipt of controlled drug substances are signed by a pharmacist.
Pharmacists are able to sign orders for the pharmacy in which they are practising, which can include more than one pharmacy if they practice at multiple sites.
It is important to note that regulated pharmacy technicians, pharmacy students and/or pharmacy assistants are not authorized to sign narcotic records.
A pharmacist’s signature is required on the electronic or hardcopy Narcotic Acknowledgement Form from the wholesaler (if any), and on all narcotic invoices that must be retained at the pharmacy until they can be destroyed.
According to PODSA Bylaws, the purchase and receipt of controlled drug substances must be retained for a period of not less than three years from the date an invoice was received for pharmacy stock. However, some third parties, such as the Canada Revenue Agency, may have a longer storage requirement for invoices. Please check with your accounting professional for more information.
- Practice Review Program, PRP Insights
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