Pandemic-era coronavirus exemption provisions removed from pharmacy prescription rules
GENERAL — under the Pharmacy Act, 1991
Plain-language summary · AI-assisted · not legal advice
The regulation has been updated to remove all references to the COVID-19 coronavirus exemption that had been in place since March 2020. Practically, the expanded definition of 'adapt' that applied to controlled substances during the pandemic (which allowed pharmacists to change dose regime, de-prescribe, or part-fill controlled substance prescriptions) is gone. The alternative verification option that let pharmacists confirm prescription details from sources like prescription labels or photos when standard methods were unavailable is also removed. The prohibition on pharmacists adapting or renewing prescriptions for controlled substances and monitored drugs now applies without any pandemic-related exception. Pharmacists and pharmacy interns should ensure their prescription adaptation and renewal practices align with the standard rules only.
Who this affects: pharmacists · pharmacy interns · patients requiring prescription adaptations or renewals · pharmacy operators
Source of truth: O. Reg. 256/24 on the official source · consolidated version 4 → 0
Legislative text © King's Printer for Ontario. This page is not an official version of the law and is not legal advice. Verify against the official source before acting.
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