Patient FAQ

No, emergency supplies are not considered “prescriptions”. Therefore, they do not cancel out the most recent prescription issued by an authorized prescriber and if there are refills remaining on the prescription, these would still be valid. In addition, as emergency supplies are not prescriptions, they cannot be transferred, however, a pharmacist at another pharmacy may choose to provide another emergency supply, if determined to be appropriate.

Depending on the reason, pharmacists can refuse to sell Tylenol #1. Health Canada forbids the sale of low-dose codeine products if the pharmacist has reasonable grounds to believe that it is not being used for recognized medical or dental purposes. The pharmacist has an obligation to resolve any drug therapy problems when selling any Schedule II medications.

Useful links:

Pharmacists may reduce the dispensing quantity in some cases, but they are expected to dispense the prescription as written by the practitioner. Otherwise, pharmacists must consult with the prescriber before adjusting quantities to be dispensed.

Useful links:

• Community Pharmacy Standards of Practice

There are currently no additional bylaws or policies that regulate online pharmacy operations. Any pharmacies located and operating in BC must comply with all existing legislation.

Pharmacy professionals must release personal health information if requested to do so by a person who is legally authorized, in writing, such as an executor of the estate. 

Useful links: 

• Wills and estates (BC government website)

Only fax transmission of prescriptions directly from the practitioner is allowed. Otherwise, the pharmacy must have an original prescription or have received a verbal prescription from a practitioner before dispensing prescription medications. 

Useful links: 

• Community Pharmacy Standards of Practice

Pharmacy professionals may administer medications or provide consultations from any location where security, privacy and confidentiality can be maintained. They must make sure that proper conditions and equipment needs are met when providing these services (e.g. anaphylaxis kits). Please note that the storage of drugs and personal health information outside licensed pharmacy premises is restricted under the PODSA bylaws.

Pharmacy technicians and pharmacists registered with the College are health professionals under the Health Professions Act and must uphold legislative requirements and professional obligations at all times.

There are specific classes of drugs under the Controlled Prescription Program (including narcotics) which have the potential for inappropriate use. These drugs must be written on a Controlled Prescription Program form for tracking purposes to reduce the potential for inappropriate prescribing and to prevent forgeries.

Your pharmacist’s main responsibility is to find, fix and prevent drug related problems. Many medications can be used for more than one medical condition. In order to ensure that your medications are appropriate for you and that you will get the most benefit from them, your pharmacist has to understand why you are taking the medications. Sometimes they need to contact your doctor to confirm the reason the medication has been prescribed, or they may have some suggestions on a different medication or a different dosage that might work better for you.