Pharmacies > Operating a Community Pharmacy > Time-Delayed Safes

Time-Delayed Safes

To help deter pharmacy robberies, all community pharmacies must use a time-delayed safe for securing narcotics and display College-approved time-delayed safe signage. 

A time-delayed safe has an electronic timer that prevents access until a pre-set period of time has elapsed after the correct combination has been entered. 

All narcotics must be secured within the community pharmacy’s time-delayed safe. Narcotics are any product or preparation which contains a drug named in the Schedule to the Narcotic Control Regulations.

Required Time-Delayed Safe Specifications

A time-delayed safe is a safe that:

  • is constructed of solid metal;
  • contains an integrated electronic locking mechanism with a time-delay release; and,
  • is secured in place, preferably to the floor, or of a size and weight that it cannot easily be removed.

The safe must be large enough to secure the pharmacy’s narcotics (any product or preparation which contains a drug named in the Schedule to the Narcotic Control Regulations) and be located inside the dispensary. The time-delayed release must be set to a minimum of five minutes. The use of override codes, keys, or other methods to bypass the time-delay are strictly prohibited.

Padlocks or locked cabinets or drawers do not meet the required specifications of a time-delayed safe as outlined in the Time-Delayed Safes Policy.

College-approved Signage

Community pharmacies are required to prominently display College-approved time-delayed safe signage at each public entrance to the pharmacy and in or adjacent to the dispensary area. 

Two different sign sizes are available for download (see above). The 11”x17” sign is to be used for posting at each public entrance. This larger sign supports visibility, deterring would-be robbers from entering the premises. Designated Managers can choose to display either the 11”x17” sign or the smaller 8.5”x11” sign in or adjacent to the dispensary area. In recognition of space limitations in or around a pharmacy’s dispensary, the smaller 8.5”x11” sign option is provided.  

Some community pharmacies may have internal policies that require communication, including public signs, to be posted in both English and French. If this is the case, follow your pharmacy’s internal policies and post both English and French versions of the sign. In the absence of any internal policy, consider the community you serve and which language may be the most appropriate to display.  

Ensuring Compliance

During operational assessments of community pharmacies, College staff will verify that the pharmacy has and is properly using a time-delayed safe. In addition, the College may conduct random unannounced onsite visits to confirm community pharmacies are following these requirements.

Success of Time-Delayed Safes Mandate

  • As of April 2024, all 4,900+ community pharmacies in Ontario have reported the use of time-delayed safes for securing narcotics. This marks a significant milestone in helping to curb the risk of pharmacy robberies throughout Ontario.
  • Time-delayed safes have had a significant impact on reducing pharmacy robberies, with Toronto seeing an 82% drop year-over-year (Q1 2023 vs Q1 2024).
  • The College continues to collaborate with local law enforcement agencies, the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police and community pharmacies throughout the province to promote ongoing crime prevention strategies.

FEATURED RESOURCES

FAQs

  • No – all community pharmacies in Ontario are required to install a time-delayed safe as a way to protect patients and pharmacy teams. This decision was approved by the Board at its March 21, 2023 meeting.

    Because the College does not have specialized classes of accreditation for community pharmacies based on business models, if your pharmacy is accredited as a community pharmacy by the College you must meet all the requirements of a community pharmacy. This includes installing a time-delayed safe.

    The time-delayed safe expectation is outlined in Time-Delayed Safes Policy and the Standards of Operation for Pharmacies.

    Because the potential to carry narcotics is always present as pharmacies meet the evolving medication needs of their patients, community pharmacies that currently do not have narcotics on site are still required to install a time-delayed safe.

    A unified, Ontario-wide implementation approach is expected to have the impact of deterring pharmacy robberies in all community pharmacies across the province and will help protect patients and pharmacy staff.

  • To protect patients and pharmacy teams, it is important to take preventative measures in the pharmacy space. Creating safer and more secure pharmacies benefits patients and pharmacy team members by reducing the risk of physical and emotional harm, and ensures safe access to care for patients. A safer environment also helps pharmacy professionals ensure the security of prescription drug supply in their communities.

  • Costs for time-delayed safes vary depending on the size and provider. If your pharmacy already has a safe without a time-delay mechanism, it may be possible to have a retrofit mechanism installed at a lesser cost.

    The College recognizes that this implementation requirement may represent an additional cost to the pharmacy. Purchasing a time-delayed safe is an investment in the safety of pharmacy team members and the public, and the security of drugs. There are many costs associated with having a pharmacy robbed, including time off for affected team members, counselling, replacing stolen stock and repairing any damage that occurred during a robbery.

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