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Re: Pharmacy Operation 1. The pharmacy associated with the website is accredited by and in good standing with, the pharmacy regulatory authority in the Canadian jurisdiction where it is located. The pharmacy is not under investigation by the regulatory authority. 2. Information that the pharmacy is duly accredited and by whom (province/territory pharmacy regulatory authority’s name and address) is prominently displayed on the website. Other accreditation information that must be displayed includes: trading and, business name of pharmacy, owner’s name, physical location (address), and telephone number with area code. 3. The website displays a notice that should a problem arise, customers residing outside of the licensing jurisdiction may have to seek redress with the licensing body in the pharmacy’s jurisdiction. Re: Pharmacy Personnel 4. All personnel engaging in the practice of pharmacy are licensed pharmacists in an appropriate licensing category by and in good standing with, the licensing body of the jurisdiction in which the pharmacy is located, and must not be under investigation by the regulatory authority. 5. There is a pharmacist manager or pharmacist-in-charge designated for the pharmacy operation, and his or her name is clearly displayed on the homepage. Re: Policies 6. The pharmacy maintains and enforces a comprehensive policy and procedural outline that documents how the pharmacy’s policies and procedures are developed, organized, authorized for implementation, revised, retired and archived. Re: Compliance with Legislation, Regulations, Standards of Practice and Policies 7. The pharmacy provides prescriptions and other medications and pharmacy services in accordance with laws, regulations and regulatory requirements of the jurisdictions in which it is physically located and in which its customers reside. Where legislation, standards and policies overlap or conflict between those in the pharmacy’s jurisdiction and those of the consumer’s jurisdiction, the most stringent will apply. The pharmacy maintains and enforces documented policies to support compliance with all standards, and regarding the resolution of conflicts when the standards of practice/laws/regulations of the pharmacy’s jurisdiction differ from those of the customer’s jurisdiction. 8. The pharmacy complies with all generic and therapeutic substitution regulations. Documented policies regarding the resolution of conflicts when the generic/therapeutic regulations for the pharmacy’s jurisdiction differ from those in the customer’s jurisdiction are maintained and enforced. 9. The pharmacy does not seek exemption from compliance with applicable standards of practice and the usual professional obligations that pharmacists owe to patients, by obtaining releases or waivers from the patient. 10. The pharmacy does not enter into agreements that would limit the patient’s choice of pharmacies. Prescriptions 11. The pharmacist only accepts written prescriptions, or those ordered verbally or via facsimile transmission by the prescriber, in accordance with current federal, provincial/territorial regulations and regulatory authority policies. In those cases where the prescription is written, the original written order must be received by the pharmacy prior to the release of the prescription. Documented policies for verifying the legitimacy and authenticity of the patient, prescriber, and prescription orders, for detecting forgeries and for preventing prescription orders from being submitted, honoured and filled by multiple pharmacies, are maintained and enforced. 12. The pharmacy maintains and enforces policies and procedures that assure that prescription medications are not prescribed or dispensed based upon telephonic, electronic, or online medical consultations without there being a pre-existing patient-prescriber relationship as defined by the Medical Licensing Authority where the patient resides. 13. The pharmacist complies with NAPRA’s National Model Standards of Practice for Canadian Pharmacists for Schedule I drugs, including the requirements for the provision of patient information, counselling and developing a professional relationship with the patient. Patient Information 14. The pharmacy ensures that patient personal health information is collected, recorded and used in a manner to protect confidentiality and privacy and specifically, in compliance with any Standards of Practice respecting privacy and confidentiality of personal health information in force policies or legislation in the jurisdiction of both the pharmacy and the patient. 15. The pharmacy maintains and enforces documented policies for staff regarding confidentiality of patient information (i.e. within the pharmacy, over the Internet, access by other corporate entities). 16. The pharmacy website and released promotional materials are in compliance with applicable federal and provincial laws, regulation and policies regarding the advertising of drugs and pharmacy services. Communication 17. The pharmacy has an effective mechanism in place to deal with drug recalls. 18. The pharmacy has an effective mechanism in place to deal with adverse drug reactions and suspected medication errors. This includes a toll-free telephone line for patient/caregiver reporting. 19. The pharmacy has an effective mechanism in place to address anticipated delays in delivery of medications, including patient/caregiver and if warranted, physician contact. 20. The pharmacy maintains and enforces policies and procedures to educate patients and caregivers about the appropriate means to dispose of expired, damaged, and unusable medications Storage and Shipment 21. Prescription drug orders are shipped through a secure means that ensures proper delivery and seeks to prevent diversion. 22. The pharmacy takes measures to ensure that drugs are maintained at the appropriate temperature, light and humidity standards (in accordance with USP requirements) during storage and shipping. Non-prescription Drug Products 23. The pharmacy complies with regulations and standards for the sale of certain non-prescription drugs that are precursors in manufacturing of illegal drugs. 24. Non-prescription (Schedule II and III) drugs are sold in compliance with NAPRA ‘s Standards of Practice for Non-prescription Drugs. For instance, the pharmacist must make an assessment of the patient’s need for Schedule II drugs prior to their release, and is responsible for the decision to sell them. He or she must be accessible and available for consultation when Schedule III drug products are sought. Quality Improvement Programs 25. The Pharmacy must have a Quality Assurance/Quality Improvement Program in place. Reporting to NAPRA 26. The pharmacy will notify NAPRA within 30 days of any change of information provided as part of the verification process, including change in pharmacist-in-charge, or involving data displayed on the VIPPS Web site. 27. The pharmacy will notify NAPRA in writing within 10 days of ceasing operations. The written notification shall include the date the pharmacy will be closed, and an affirmation
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