Under Review: No
Issued by Council: January 1, 2010
- A regulated member may only dispense Schedule 1 or 2 drugs as defined by the Pharmacy and Drug Act to a patient when those drugs are relevant to the medical consultation or surgical procedure provided to that patient.
- A regulated member may charge a fee for dispensing a drug as defined in clause (1); however, a regulated member:
- must limit fees to the cost of the drugs to the regulated member;
- may include reasonable handling costs such as shipping, containers and containment systems, refrigeration and inventory maintenance costs associated with replacement of expired drugs; and
- must maintain a detailed description of the calculation of fees for inspection by the College.
- A regulated member must not charge a fee for dispensing a drug or for maintaining required documentation in respect of the inventory control or dispensing of drugs.
- A regulated member must not compound drugs unless specifically approved by the College.
- A regulated member must personally discuss instructions for use of the drug with the patient.
- Any drug dispensed to a patient for a fee must have a label affixed to the drug container or packaging that is legible and identifies the following:
- the name, address and telephone number of the clinic from which the drug is dispensed;
- the name of the patient;
- the name of the prescriber;
- the name of all active ingredients, the strength and the manufacturer,
- instructions for use;
- the date the drug was dispensed;
- the quantity dispensed; and
- the expiry date, when appropriate.
- Any drug dispensed to a patient for a fee must be dispensed in child-proof containers except where inappropriate for a particular patient.
- Each time a drug is dispensed for a fee, the transaction must be recorded in the clinical record or in a separate log that identifies the following:
- the name of the patient for whom the drug was dispensed;
- the name of the prescriber;
- the date the drug was dispensed;
- the name, strength and dosage form of the drug dispensed; and
- the quantity of the drug dispensed.
- Drugs received by the regulated member for dispensing for a fee to a patient must be visually inspected to ensure there has been no damage or contamination.
- Drugs in a regulated member’s office must be stored to ensure security and integrity.
- Drugs in a regulated members office must be stored at appropriate temperatures to ensure stability.
- Narcotic and controlled drugs in a regulated member’s office must be stored in accordance with federal regulations.
- A regulated member who dispenses a drug must have established policy and procedures for the safe and proper disposal of drugs that are unfit to be dispensed, including outdated or damaged products.
- A regulated member must not accept the return of any dispensed drug for the purpose of reuse.
About the Standards of Practice
The CPSA Standards of Practice are the minimum standards of professional behaviour and ethical conduct expected of all physicians registered in Alberta. Standards of practice are enforceable under the Health Professions Act and will be referenced in the management of complaints and in discipline hearings.
Questions?
For questions or archived standards, policies and guidelines contact our Standards of Practice Advisor.