The Ontario College of Pharmacists publishes practice policies and guidelines to advise registrants of the College’s expectations and to provide direction regarding their practice. Practice policies outline the College’s expectations relating to pharmacy professionals’ conduct, while re-affirming the values, principles and duties of the pharmacy profession. In addition to providing guidance to the profession, policies serve as a benchmark against which the conduct of the individual pharmacist is evaluated.
The following documents are here to assist the profession in ensuring quality patient care and safe practice environments. While these resources are meant as tools, registrants must always use their professional judgement and knowledge to assess and act appropriately within each situation.
Practice Policies
Policies serve as a benchmark against which the conduct of the individual registrant is evaluated. Operational policies outline the College’s expectations relating to specific topics within pharmacy operations.
The College develops policies through a rigorous process. More information about the College’s policy process, including what triggers policy development or review, can be found on the College’s Policy Process infographic.
Boundary Violations and Sexual Abuse Policy
Centralized Prescription Processing (Central Fill) Policy
Cross-Jurisdictional Pharmacy Services Policy
Designated Manager – Medication Procurement and Inventory Management Policy
Designated Manager – Professional Supervision of Pharmacy Personnel – Rescinded on April 1, 2025. Refer to the March 24, 2025 Board Meeting Materials, page 40.
Designated Manager – Required Signage in a Community Pharmacy Policy – Rescinded on April 1, 2025. Refer to the March 24, 2025 Board Meeting Materials, page 40.
Distribution of Medication Samples Policy
Faxed Transmission of Prescriptions Policy
Fees for Professional Pharmacy Services Policy
Labelling Single Entity Drugs Policy
Loyalty Points Programs Policy
Medical Directives and the Delegation of Controlled Acts Policy
Operating Internet Sites Policy
Restocking of Drugs used for Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) during COVID-19 Policy
Supervision of Pharmacy Personnel Policy
Treating Self and Family Members Policy
Guidelines
Guidelines outline more detail around the expectations of a Standard and relevant legislation and how to apply the Standard and/or legislation to support optimal practice. Guidelines are meant as references to be used alongside, not in place of, the Standards and/or legislation. Operational guidelines outline optimal operations of a pharmacy.
Administering a Substance by Inhalation Guideline
Administering a Substance by Injection Guideline
Dispensing Components Included in the Usual and Customary Fee Guideline
Ending the Pharmacist Patient Relationship Guideline
Extending the Beyond-Use Dates for Sterile Preparations Guideline
Pharmacist Prescribing: Initiating, Adapting & Renewing Prescriptions Guideline
Multi-Medication Compliance Aids Guideline
Piercing the Dermis for Demonstration and Point-of-Care Tests Guideline
Protecting the Cold Chain Guideline
Record Retention, Disclosure, and Disposal Guideline
Guidance
Guidance provides information that articulates or supports the College’s expectations in practice for topics/areas that are developing or emerging and will likely be changing in the future. They are based on the circumstances and context at the time they are published.
Providing COVID-19 Services in Community Pharmacies – Rescinded on April 1, 2025. Refer to the March 24, 2025 Board Meeting Materials, page 40.
Prescribing and Providing Controlled Substances during the Coronavirus Pandemic – Rescinded on April 1, 2025. Refer to the March 24, 2025 Board Meeting Materials, page 40.
Accreditation and Operation of a Pharmacy Guidance
Dispensing or Selling Naloxone
Medical Assistance in Dying Guidance
Operation of a Remote Dispensing Location Guidance
Frameworks
A conceptual structure intended to support or guide the building of an approach or an objective. It can set out the conditions required to achieve the desired performance or outcome, and often ensures the inclusion of guiding principles in its approach.
Improving the Safety and Security of Controlled Substances in Hospital High Risk Areas
Position Statements
Position statements outline the College’s regulatory or policy stance on emerging issues around a specific area of practice. Position statements can change as they are based on the circumstances and context at the time they are published.
Authenticity of Prescriptions using Unique Identifiers for Prescribers Position Statement
Cannabis Position Statement – Rescinded on April 1, 2025. Refer to the March 24, 2025 Board Meeting Materials, page 40.