Pharmacy FAQ

In certain exceptional circumstances, a pharmacist can dispense a prescription for a Controlled Prescription Program (CPP) drug from an out-of-province physician or Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) physician practitioner that's not on the Controlled Prescription Program form. In these situations, as with any exceptional cases, the pharmacist must use their professional judgment in their decision to dispense. The pharmacist can base their decision on the medical condition of their patient and surrounding circumstances.

Medical use of cannabis is federally regulated by Health Canada. Please visit this link for more information: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/topics/cannabis-for-medical-purposes.html

Although the pharmacist accepts legal responsibility for the drug and its destruction, Health Canada no longer requires pharmacies to request and receive pre-authorization for local destruction of unserviceable narcotics and controlled drugs. This means that pharmacists may proceed with destruction without notifying and receiving acknowledgment from Health Canada in advance. All other requirements, including documentation, remain in place.

I think that a pharmacist may have a substance use issue. I've never seen him use drugs on the job but his behaviour and appearance indicate that there may be a problem. He makes a lot of dispensing errors and since I hired him, I've noticed that a number of narcotics have been missing.

According to the Health Professions Act - Bylaws Schedule F Part 1, upon request a pharmacist must transfer prescriptions to another pharmacy licensed in Canada, if the drug does not contain a controlled drug substance and the transfer occurs between a registrant and another registrant or an equivalent of a registrant in another Canadian jurisdiction. The Bylaw does not address transferring a prescription to the U.S.

Pharmacists who do not provide specialty compounding services have two options:

1. Refer the patient to a pharmacy that can prepare the product.

2. Obtain the specialty compound by contracting with another pharmacist who provides the service. A contract between the two pharmacies must be signed and retained by both pharmacy managers if the service is contracted out.

If you have any questions or concerns, please email [email protected]. 

No, out-of-province nurse practitioners are not recognized prescribers in BC.  In order to prescribe, a person must be a “practitioner” as defined by PODSA.  While BC nurse practitioners are authorized under the provincial Health Professions Act to prescribe, out-of-province nurse practitioners do not fall within the definition of a “practitioner” in BC.