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Permanent pharmacy closure
The manager and the direct owner of a closing pharmacy must understand and fulfill their duties and responsibilities prior to closing the pharmacy. These duties and responsibilities can be found in section 17.1 and 18(2)(ee) of the PODSA Bylaws.
- Apply for a Pharmacy Closure
An authorized representative of the direct owner and the manager of the pharmacy must submit Part A of PODSA Form 4A: Application for Pharmacy Closure no later than 30 days before the closing date.
Note: If drugs, medical devices, patient records, and/or prescription records will be transferred to more than one receiving pharmacy, complete a separate closure application form for each receiving pharmacy and submit all copies to the College.
Allow up to 7 days for processing.
Upon completion of processing Part A of the pharmacy closure application by the College, an email notification will be sent to the authorized representative named in the application.
The College will also notify Health Insurance BC (HIBC) of the Ministry of Health of the closure.
- Prepare for Pharmacy Closure
All authorized representatives of the direct owner and the manager of the pharmacy are responsible for completing the following tasks:
- Provide for the safe and secure transfer and appropriate storage of all Schedule I, II, and III drugs and controlled drug substances,
- Advise the registrar in writing of the disposition of all drugs and prescription records at the time of a closure,
- Provide the registrar with a copy of the return invoice and any other documentation sent to Health Canada in respect of the destruction of all controlled drug substances,
- Arrange for the secure transfer and continuing availability of the prescription records at another pharmacy, or a storage facility that is monitored and secured from unauthorized access, and
- Remove all signs and advertisements from the closed pharmacy premises.
Provide a copy of the completed Part A of PODSA Form 4A: Application for Pharmacy Closure to the pharmacy(ies) receiving your drugs, medical devices and/or patient records and prescription records. Inform the manager of the receiving pharmacy that he/she must submit Part B of the form no later than 14 days from the received date. See Step 3 below.
Note: The closing pharmacy’s manager must conduct a narcotic reconciliation before transferring the controlled drug substances to the receiving pharmacy, including reporting any loss or theft as per PPP-65.
On the date of the closure, post signage at the entrances to the pharmacy advising the public of the permanent closure, as well as the name(s) and location(s) of the pharmacy(ies) where the patient records have been transferred to. All drugs must be transferred to the receiving pharmacy(ies) by the end of day.
The pharmacy manager must submit digital evidence (photos/video) of the exterior of the pharmacy for confirmation that all signs and advertisements have been removed.Digital evidence must be submitted to the College no later than 14 days after the pharmacy closure.
Notify the Licensure Department if there is a change in the expected closing date originally indicated in your Application for Pharmacy Closure to avoid premature PharmaNet termination.
- Complete the Pharmacy Closure Application (Receiving Pharmacy)
The manager of each pharmacy receiving the following from the closing pharmacy must complete Part B of the application form no later than 14 days from the received date:
- Prescription drugs (including controlled drug substances);
- Non-prescription drugs (including exempted codeine products);
- Medical devices; and/or
- Patient medication record and prescription records.
Upon completion of processing the pharmacy closure application by the College, an email notification will be sent to the authorized representative and manager named in the application from the closing pharmacy, as well as each manager from the receiving pharmacy(ies). The College will also notify Health Insurance BC (HIBC) of the Ministry of Health of the closure.
Access to the pharmacy portal of the closing pharmacy on eServices will be terminated on the closing date.
If you want to reopen your closed pharmacy, you will have to apply for a new pharmacy licence. Reinstatement does not apply in this situation.
Refer to the Pharmacy Licensure Guide for more information.