Controlled Substances: Reporting Loss or Theft

FACT SHEET

Legislative References:

A fact sheet summarizes relevant legislation in one place. Registrants are reminded to refer to legislation for full context.

Additional References:

Loss or Theft Report Form for Controlled Substances and Precursors (CS-FRM-011)

Health Canada E-Services Portal to report loss or theft of controlled substances and precursors

Background

Controlled substances are regulated federally by Health Canada and the Office of Controlled Substances (OCS). The Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) provides a legislative framework aimed at controlling access to substances that can alter mental processes and produce harm to the health of an individual and/or society when diverted or misused.

Pharmacists and hospitals are required to comply with the Narcotic Control Regulations (NCR), the Benzodiazepines and Other Targeted Substances Regulations (BOTSR) made under the CDSA and Part G of the Food and Drug Regulations (FDR-G) made under the Food and Drugs Act governing controlled substances.

Definitions

Controlled substance: A drug named in the federal Controlled Drug and Substances Act (CDSA), Schedules I, II, III, IV, V. These substances are also listed in the schedules to regulations made under the Act as either narcotics, controlled drugs, or benzodiazepines and other targeted substances. (CDSA)

Date of Discovery: The date at which the pharmacist first becomes aware that a suspected loss or theft has occurred. (CS-GD-005)

Loss: The physical disappearance of controlled substances or precursors that is not the result of a theft, and/or is unexplained at the time of discovery. (CS-GD-005)

Reporting

Narcotic Control Regulations

42. A pharmacist shall report to the Minister any loss or theft of a narcotic within 10 days of his discovery thereof.

63. A person who is in charge of a hospital shall…(c)…report to the Minister any loss or theft of narcotics within 10 days of his discovery thereof.

Food and Drug Regulations

G.03.013 A pharmacist shall report to the Minister any loss or theft of a controlled drug within 10 days of his discovery thereof.

G.05.004 A person who is in charge of a hospital shall (…) report to the Minister any loss or theft of a controlled drug within 10 days of his discovery thereof.

Benzodiazepine and Other Targeted Substances Regulations

72 (1) The following persons must take any measures that are necessary to ensure the security of any targeted substance in their possession: (a) a pharmacist; (…) (c) the person in charge of a hospital;

(2) A person referred to in subsection (1) who becomes aware of a theft or loss of a targeted substance must provide a written report to the Minister within 10 days after becoming aware of the occurrence.

Pharmacist and hospitals should refer to the Health Canada Guidance Document: Reporting of loss or theft of controlled substances, precursors (CS-GD-005) for detailed information on completing and submitting a Loss or Theft Report.

  • Forged prescriptions are only considered thefts if a drug product containing a controlled substance was actually dispensed, either partially or fully. Attempted forgeries where no drug was dispensed are not to be reported to Health Canada.
  • Theft (e.g., robbery, break and enter, etc.) are to be reported to the police.
  • Any questions of interpretation concerning the guidance document should be directed to the National Monitoring Section of the Controlled Substances Directorate (CSD) at ocs.reporting-rapporter.bsc@hc-sc.gc.ca
  • For Health Canada E-Services Portal for Controlled Substances Services support, contact the Controlled Substances and Cannabis Branch Call Centre
    • Email: csps-spsc@hc-sc.gc.ca
    • Phone: 1-866-337-7705 (option 5)

Published: October 2021
Version #: 1.00

College Contact: Pharmacy Practice

Revision History
Version # Date Action
1 October 2021 Published Fact Sheet
1.1 January 2022 Added Health Canada E-Services Portal information

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