Council has rescinded its motion from June 21 “to develop new Standards for advertising Schedule 2 and Schedule 3 drugs.” In preparing for consultation, new information was considered, and council has approved the following guidelines to support and reinforce existing regulations related to the sale of Schedule 2 and 3 drugs. Therefore, the following guidance replaces the direction communicated in the July 5, 2017 edition of The Link about advertising Schedule 2 and 3 drugs.
Regulations
When advertising or selling Schedule 2 and 3 drugs, pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, pharmacy licensees, and pharmacy proprietors or their representatives SHALL ensure that:
- Schedule 2 and 3 drugs are only sold IN pharmacies.
- The advertising of Schedule 2 and 3 drugs is not misleading.
- The advertising of Schedule 2 and 3 drugs is restricted to stating the name, price and quantity of the drug.
Interpretation
It is ACP’s interpretation that these regulations require that Schedule 2 and Schedule 3 drugs be stored for sale only in pharmacies, in accordance with the regulations. The sale of these drugs must only occur IN a pharmacy, in compliance with the Standards of Practice for Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians and the Standards for the Operation of Licensed Pharmacies. The virtual sale of Schedule 2 and Schedule 3 drugs SHALL NOT be facilitated through e-commerce alternatives.
Guidance
The following guidance can assist in complying with the regulations and are considered good practices. When advertising Schedule 2 and 3 drugs, pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, pharmacy licensees, and pharmacy proprietors or their representatives SHOULD;
- Clearly distinguish Schedule 2 and Schedule 3 drugs from unscheduled drugs in all advertisements; and,
- Provide additional information that informs the public that Schedule 2 and Schedule 3 drugs shall ONLY BE SOLD in pharmacies; and, that in the case of Schedule 2 drugs, assessment by a pharmacist is required.
Originally published in the October 25, 2017, issue of The Link
