MARCH 31, 2025 - RENEWAL DEADLINEPlease follow the instructions provided by Health Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/health-concerns/controlled-substances-precursor-chemicals/controlled-substances/compliance-monitoring/compliance-monitoring-controlled-substances/unserviceable-stock.html
Useful links:
No, out-of-province pharmacists are not recognized prescribers in BC. Although some pharmacists may have certain prescribing privileges in their own provinces, a valid prescription in BC must be written by a “practitioner” as defined by PODSA. Out-of-province pharmacists do not fall within this definition of a “practitioner” in BC.
The College does not have restrictions on cloud storage. However, as with all records, pharmacies must ensure that data is stored and accessed in accordance with applicable privacy law.
Pharmacies that are private-sector organizations are governed by B.C.’s Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA). PIPA does not contain restrictions on the storage of, or access to, personal information from outside Canada. Organizations subject to PIPA may therefore use cloud-based storage services outside Canada. Many community pharmacies will fall under this category.
MOST prescriptions may be destroyed after scanning and storing, as long as all notes made on the prescription are captured in the colour scan.
Bylaw reference: PODSA Bylaws, s.23.3(1):
23.3. (1) A pharmacy may maintain electronic records containing personal health information if the pharmacy has the equipment, software and systems necessary for the input, storage, use, protection and retrieval of records that are required to be kept under bylaws of the college or other legislation that regulates the practice of pharmacy.
Yes, pharmacies may keep all records required by the College in electronic format. Only records containing personal health information are required to be maintained in a system that complies with s. 23.3 of the PODSA Bylaws.
No, pharmacies may either keep only electronic records, only hard copy records, or a combination of both. Pharmacies that keep any form of electronic records containing personal health information must comply with the new technology requirements in s. 23.3 of the PODSA Bylaws by May 13, 2019.
Bylaw Reference: PODSA Bylaws s. 23.3(1):
23.3(1) A pharmacy may maintain electronic records containing personal health information if the pharmacy has the equipment, software and systems necessary for the input, storage, use, protection and retrieval of records that are required to be kept under bylaws of the college or other legislation that regulates the practice of pharmacy.
In addition, the detailed technology requirements are set out in s. 23.3 of the PODSA Bylaws.
To determine whether a loss should be reported and how to document, please see Health Canada’s Guidance on reporting loss or theft of controlled substances and precursors.
The process you need to follow is different, depending upon which drug you dispense.
Amoxil® dispensing (non-narcotic) - you need to return the original prescription to the patient: