P-10 - Pharmacy Act

Section 17 Disposition versions

2021-01-25

17. The practice of pharmacy consists in determining and ensuring the proper use of medications, particularly to identify and prevent pharmacotherapeutic problems, and in preparing, storing and delivering medications in order to maintain or restore health or to provide appropriate symptom relief.

The following activities in the practice of pharmacy are reserved to pharmacists:

(1)  issuing a pharmaceutical opinion;

(1.1)  assessing the physical and mental condition of a person to ensure the proper use of medications;

(2)  preparing medications;

(3)  selling medications, in accordance with the regulation under section 37.1;

(4)  supervising medication therapy;

(5)  taking specimens by introducing an instrument in the pharynx;

(6)  renewing a prescription to avoid interruption of the treatment prescribed to a patient; the renewal period may not be longer than the original prescription period or, if the original prescription period is longer than one year, the renewal period may not exceed one year;

(7)  starting, adjusting or stopping a patient’s medication therapy;

(8)  substituting another medication for a prescribed medication in the following cases:

(a)  there is a disruption in the supply of the prescribed medication in Québec;

(b)  there is a problem relating to its administration;

(c)  it poses a risk to the patient’s safety;

(d)  it is officially withdrawn from the Canadian market; in such a case, the substitution may occur not earlier than three months before the date of the withdrawal; or

(e)  it is not available in the context of the activities of an institution;

(9)  administering a medication by oral, topical, subcutaneous, intranasal, intradermal or intramuscular route or by inhalation in the following cases:

(a)  to demonstrate proper use of the medication;

(b)  for vaccination purposes; or

(c)  in an emergency situation;

(10)  prescribing and interpreting laboratory analyses or other tests, to ensure the proper use of medications.

Despite the first paragraph, the activity of prescribing a medication is also reserved to pharmacists in the following cases:

(1)  it is an over-the-counter medication determined in a regulation made under section 37.1 and the patient’s clinical situation or any other circumstance so warrants;

(2)  no diagnosis is required; or

(3)  it is prescribed following a consultation request or in the context of advanced practice in partnership.

A pharmacist may engage in the professional activities described in subparagraph 9 of the second paragraph once a training certificate has been issued to the pharmacist by the Order pursuant to a regulation under paragraph o of section 94 of the Professional Code (chapter C-26).

1973, c. 51, s. 17; 1990, c. 75, s. 4; 2002, c. 33, s. 22; 2011, c. 37, s. 2; 2014, c. 2, s. 70; 2020, c. 4, s. 2.

2020-03-17

17. The practice of pharmacy consists in determining and ensuring the proper use of medications, particularly to identify and prevent pharmacotherapeutic problems, and in preparing, storing and delivering medications in order to maintain or restore health or to provide appropriate symptom relief.

The following activities in the practice of pharmacy are reserved to pharmacists:

(1)  issuing a pharmaceutical opinion;

(1.1)  assessing the physical and mental condition of a person to ensure the proper use of medications;

(2)  preparing medications;

(3)  selling medications, in accordance with the regulation under section 37.1;

(4)  supervising medication therapy;

(5)  taking specimens by introducing an instrument in the pharynx;

(6)  renewing a physician’s prescription, in accordance with the conditions and procedure determined by regulation, to avoid the interruption of the treatment prescribed to the patient by the physician; the renewal period cannot be longer than the original prescription period or, if the original prescription period was longer than one year, the renewal period cannot exceed one year;

(7)  adjusting a physician’s prescription, in accordance with the conditions and procedure determined by regulation, by modifying the form, dosage, quantity or directions of the prescribed medication;

(8)  in the case of a complete disruption in the supply of the prescribed medication in Québec, substitute another medication from the same therapeutic subclass, in accordance with the conditions and procedure determined by regulation;

(9)  administering a medication by oral, topical, subcutaneous, intranasal, intradermal or intramuscular route or by inhalation in the following cases:

(a)  to demonstrate proper use of the medication;

(b)  for vaccination purposes; or

(c)  in an emergency situation;

(10)  for pharmacists practising in a centre operated by an institution within the meaning of the Act respecting health services and social services (chapter S-4.2) or within the meaning of the Act respecting health services and social services for Cree Native persons (chapter S-5), prescribing and interpreting laboratory analyses for the purpose of monitoring the medication therapy, in accordance with the conditions and procedure determined by regulation.

Despite the first paragraph, the activity of prescribing a medication is also reserved to pharmacists in the following cases:

(1)  it is an over-the-counter medication determined in a regulation made under section 37.1 and the patient’s clinical situation or any other circumstance so warrants;

(2)  no diagnosis is required; or

Not in force

(3)  it is prescribed following a consultation request or in the context of advanced practice in partnership.

A pharmacist may engage in the professional activities described in subparagraph 9 of the second paragraph once a training certificate has been issued to the pharmacist by the Order pursuant to a regulation under paragraph o of section 94 of the Professional Code (chapter C-26).

1973, c. 51, s. 17; 1990, c. 75, s. 4; 2002, c. 33, s. 22; 2011, c. 37, s. 2; 2014, c. 2, s. 70; 2020, c. 4, s. 2.

2015-12-10

17. The practice of pharmacy consists in determining and ensuring the proper use of medications, particularly to identify and prevent pharmacotherapeutic problems, and in preparing, storing and delivering medications in order to maintain or restore health or to provide appropriate symptom relief.

The following activities in the practice of pharmacy are reserved to pharmacists:

(1)  issuing a pharmaceutical opinion;

(2)  preparing medications;

(3)  selling medications, in accordance with the regulation under section 37.1;

(4)  supervising medication therapy;

(5)  initiating or adjusting medication therapy, according to a prescription, making use, where applicable, of appropriate laboratory analyses;

(6)  renewing a physician’s prescription, in accordance with the conditions and procedure determined by regulation, to avoid the interruption of the treatment prescribed to the patient by the physician; the renewal period cannot be longer than the original prescription period or, if the original prescription period was longer than one year, the renewal period cannot exceed one year;

(7)  adjusting a physician’s prescription, in accordance with the conditions and procedure determined by regulation, by modifying the form, dosage, quantity or directions of the prescribed medication;

(8)  in the case of a complete disruption in the supply of the prescribed medication in Québec, substitute another medication from the same therapeutic subclass, in accordance with the conditions and procedure determined by regulation;

(9)  administering a medication by oral, topical, subcutaneous, intradermal or intramuscular route or by inhalation, in accordance with the conditions and procedure determined by regulation, in order to demonstrate proper usage;

(10)  for pharmacists practising in a centre operated by an institution within the meaning of the Act respecting health services and social services (chapter S-4.2) or within the meaning of the Act respecting health services and social services for Cree Native persons (chapter S-5), prescribing and interpreting laboratory analyses for the purpose of monitoring the medication therapy, in accordance with the conditions and procedure determined by regulation.

Despite the first paragraph, prescribing a medication when no diagnosis is required, including for preventive purposes, in the cases and in accordance with the conditions and procedure determined by regulation, is also reserved to pharmacists.

A pharmacist may engage in the professional activities described in subparagraphs 7, 8 and 9 of the second paragraph once a training certificate has been issued to the pharmacist by the Order pursuant to a regulation under paragraph o of section 94 of the Professional Code (chapter C-26).

1973, c. 51, s. 17; 1990, c. 75, s. 4; 2002, c. 33, s. 22; 2011, c. 37, s. 2; 2014, c. 2, s. 70.

2015-06-20

17. The practice of pharmacy consists in determining and ensuring the proper use of medications, particularly to identify and prevent pharmacotherapeutic problems, and in preparing, storing and delivering medications in order to maintain or restore health.

The following activities in the practice of pharmacy are reserved to pharmacists:

(1)  issuing a pharmaceutical opinion;

(2)  preparing medications;

(3)  selling medications, in accordance with the regulation under section 37.1;

(4)  supervising medication therapy;

(5)  initiating or adjusting medication therapy, according to a prescription, making use, where applicable, of appropriate laboratory analyses;

(6)  renewing a physician’s prescription, in accordance with the conditions and procedure determined by regulation, to avoid the interruption of the treatment prescribed to the patient by the physician; the renewal period cannot be longer than the original prescription period or, if the original prescription period was longer than one year, the renewal period cannot exceed one year;

(7)  adjusting a physician’s prescription, in accordance with the conditions and procedure determined by regulation, by modifying the form, dosage, quantity or directions of the prescribed medication;

(8)  in the case of a complete disruption in the supply of the prescribed medication in Québec, substitute another medication from the same therapeutic subclass, in accordance with the conditions and procedure determined by regulation;

(9)  administering a medication by oral, topical, subcutaneous, intradermal or intramuscular route or by inhalation, in accordance with the conditions and procedure determined by regulation, in order to demonstrate proper usage;

(10)  for pharmacists practising in a centre operated by an institution within the meaning of the Act respecting health services and social services (chapter S-4.2) or within the meaning of the Act respecting health services and social services for Cree Native persons (chapter S-5), prescribing and interpreting laboratory analyses for the purpose of monitoring the medication therapy, in accordance with the conditions and procedure determined by regulation.

Despite the first paragraph, prescribing a medication when no diagnosis is required, including for preventive purposes, in the cases and in accordance with the conditions and procedure determined by regulation, is also reserved to pharmacists.

A pharmacist may engage in the professional activities described in subparagraphs 7, 8 and 9 of the second paragraph once a training certificate has been issued to the pharmacist by the Order pursuant to a regulation under paragraph o of section 94 of the Professional Code (chapter C-26).

1973, c. 51, s. 17; 1990, c. 75, s. 4; 2002, c. 33, s. 22; 2011, c. 37, s. 2.

2003-01-30

17. The practice of pharmacy consists in determining and ensuring the proper use of medications, particularly to identify and prevent pharmacotherapeutic problems, and in preparing, storing and delivering medications in order to maintain or restore health.

The following activities in the practice of pharmacy are reserved to pharmacists:

(1)  issuing a pharmaceutical opinion;

(2)  preparing medications;

(3)  selling medications, in accordance with the regulation under section 37.1;

(4)  supervising medication therapy;

(5)  initiating or adjusting medication therapy, according to a prescription, making use, where applicable, of appropriate laboratory analyses;

(6)  prescribing and personally dispensing emergency oral contraception medication, provided a training certificate has been issued to the pharmacist by the Order pursuant to a regulation under paragraph o of section 94 of the Professional Code (chapter C-26).

1973, c. 51, s. 17; 1990, c. 75, s. 4; 2002, c. 33, s. 22.

1998-07-01

17. Every act having as its object the preparation or sale of a medication, by prescription or not, constitutes the practice of pharmacy.

The practice of pharmacy includes the communication of information on the prescribed use or, failing a prescription, on the recognized use of medications, and the making of a record for each person to whom a pharmacist delivers medication on prescription and the pharmacological study of such record.

1973, c. 51, s. 17; 1990, c. 75, s. 4.

1977-12-31

17. Every act having as its object the preparation or selling, by prescription or not, of a medication or poison constitutes the practice of pharmacy.

The practice of pharmacy includes the communication of information on the prescribed use or, failing a prescription, on the recognized use of medications or poisons, and the making of a record for each person to whom a pharmacist delivers medication or poison on prescription and the pharmacological study of such record.

1973, c. 51, s. 17.