Pharmacy Security Requirements: What’s in Effect Today? Jun. 30, 2017 Pharmacy Security

Keep Schedule IA drugs in a locked metal safe that is secured in place and equipped with a time delay lock set at a minimum of five minutes.

(See Section 11.1 (1)(a) of the Pharmacy Operations and Drug Scheduling Act Bylaws)

Mandatory as of April 21, 2017 for all new and existing community pharmacies

Install and maintain a security camera system that: :

1. has date/time stamped images that are archived and available for no less than 30 days
2. is checked daily for proper operation.

* It is important to ensure that images captured by security camera systems are sufficient to enable law enforcement to identify the criminals.

* Under the Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA), pharmacies are required to post visible and clear signage informing customers that the premise is being monitored by cameras.

(See Section 11.1 (1)(b) of the Pharmacy Operations and Drug Scheduling Act Bylaws)

When a full pharmacist is not present and the pharmacy is accessible by non-registrants, Schedule I and II drugs, controlled drug substances and personal health information must be secured by physical barriers. 

Physical barriers provide an additional layer of security for the protection drugs and confidential health information. Physical barriers can be tailored to the needs and structure of the particular community pharmacy. Some examples of physical barriers include: locked gates, grillwork, locked cabinets, locked doors, and locked shelving units.  

(See Section 11.1 (2)(b) and (2.1) of the Pharmacy Operations and Drug Scheduling Act Bylaws)

Mandatory as of April 21, 2017 for all new community pharmacies.

Mandatory as of April 21, 2020 for all existing community pharmacies.

Any pharmacy that undergoes renovations must include physical barriers in the renovations. 

When a full pharmacist is not present and the pharmacy is accessible by non-registrants, the dispensary must be secured by a monitored alarm.

(See Section 11.1 (2)(a) and (2.1) of the Pharmacy Operations and Drug Scheduling Act Bylaws)

Mandatory as of April 21, 2017 for all new and existing community pharmacies when a full pharmacist is not present and the pharmacy premise is accessible to non-registrants. 

Optional for new and existing community pharmacies where a full pharmacist is present at all times and the premise is accessible by non-registrants. 

Install and maintain motion sensors in the dispensary. 

Note: Security experts recommend that 360 degree motion detectors be installed on the ceiling as wall mounted motion detectors are vulnerable to blind spots.

(See Section 11.1 (1)(c) of the Pharmacy Operations and Drug Scheduling Act Bylaws)

A community pharmacy must clearly display at all external entrances and at the dispensary, signage provided by the College that identifies the premises as a pharmacy.

The College will send signage to all new pharmacies at the time of licensure approval. 

* Signage provides a consistent province-wide deterrent message that additional layers of security are in place. It is critical that all pharmacies comply with this requirement to ensure that their pharmacy does not become a “soft target.” 

(See Section 11.1(3) and 11.1(5) of the Pharmacy Operations and Drug Scheduling Act Bylaws)

Mandatory as of April 21, 2017 for all new and existing community pharmacies.

Note: A pharmacy that is never open to the public and has no external signage identifying it as a pharmacy is exempt from this requirement.