Changing the pharmacy licence category

According to the Pharmacy and Drug Act, pharmacy services (e.g., storing, compounding, dispensing, or selling of drugs) can only be provided from a licensed pharmacy with an appropriate category of licence, or an institution pharmacy.

If you are a licensee of an existing pharmacy, you may apply to add or remove a category of licence from your existing pharmacy licence in accordance with the legislation.

• To add a compounding and repackaging pharmacy licence category to an existing community pharmacy licence, the space where the compounding or repackaging is performed must be in the same contiguous space as the primary dispensary, otherwise you must apply for a standalone compounding and repackaging pharmacy licence and adhere to the opening a new pharmacy process.
• To add a satellite pharmacy, refer to the opening a new pharmacy process. To remove a satellite pharmacy, refer to the permanent closure process.

Removing a category of licence

To remove a category of licence, the licensee must complete and submit the application to change the pharmacy licence category (in myACP). All applications can be found in New applications.

Once approved, a new pharmacy licence will be mailed to the pharmacy.

Adding a category of licence

If you wish to apply to add a category of licence to your existing pharmacy licence, the licensee must submit a completed application as indicated below at least 45 days prior to the intended change.

1. Prepare the following supporting documentation. All documentation must be in PDF format.
   • A floor plan depicting the physical facilities, intended use of space, and layout of the entire licensed pharmacy. This plan must comply with the floor plan requirements guide, and any submissions that do not comply with this guide will be rejected.
   • If the pharmacy shares premises with another business (e.g., medical clinic), you must complete the shared premises form. You must also prepare a floor plan showing the overall facilities, space, and layout of the premises.
   • Licensee undertaking.
   • Proprietor’s representative undertaking.
   • Pharmacy inspection readiness form.
   • If applying for a mail order pharmacy licence, you must also submit a completed mail order pharmacy services proposal form.

2. Complete and submit your application. This must be completed by the licensee.
   • Access the application to change the pharmacy licence category (in myACP). All applications can be found in New applications.
   • The application will require you to upload the supporting documentation prepared in step 1.
   • Complete applications are reviewed in the order in which they are submitted and may take up to 15 business days to assess and process. Incomplete applications will result in further delays. ACP will notify you via email if we have any questions regarding your application.

3. Inspection.
   • Before the issuance of a new community or compounding and repackaging licence, the pharmacy must undergo an inspection to confirm compliance with the foundational requirements and compounding standards. An inspection may be required if applying to add on a mail-order licence.
   • A pharmacy practice consultant will schedule the inspection. Any deficiencies identified by the pharmacy practice consultant during the inspection must be corrected and evidence of the corrections must be provided prior to the new licence being issued.

• Application decision and payment.
  • ACP will notify you via email once the pharmacy practice consultant has confirmed compliance with all legislative requirements and a decision has been made regarding your application.

5. Provide payment.
   • To complete the application, the licensee must provide payment for the new licence. The college’s fees are outlined in the ACP fee schedule; only the following payment methods will be accepted:
     • Visa,
     • Visa Debit,
     • Mastercard, or
     • Debit Mastercard.
   • Your pharmacy licence will not be issued until payment is received.
   • Once approved, a new pharmacy licence will be mailed to the pharmacy.