At its December 2024 meeting, the Board approved changes to the College By-Law, including the removal of controlled substance (narcotic) signer status from the public register (Find a Pharmacy or Pharmacy Professional Tool). As of December 9, 2024, the College no longer requires controlled substance signers to be reported or displayed on the public register.
Unless otherwise indicated on the public register, all Part A pharmacists in Ontario are authorized to order/receive controlled substances.
Under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, pharmacists are granted the authority as controlled substance signers to obtain controlled substances for the pharmacy, unless there are specified terms or conditions on their certificate of registration that prohibit it.
It is the responsibility of the pharmacist to ensure that they do not sign for controlled substances if they are not authorized to do so.
Wholesalers with Drug Establishment Licenses should refer to the relevant federal regulations and establish internal procedures for verifying signatures of pharmacists ordering and receiving controlled substances (narcotics, controlled drugs, and targeted substances).
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Pharmacy Applications & Renewals
pharmacyapplications@ocpinfo.com