The pharmacy briefing

News & insight.

Canadian pharmacy and therapeutics news: recalls, shortages, guideline updates and developments in practice.

Province

6 results

Alberta College of Pharmacy: Confirm a Provider’s Authority Before Selling Schedule 1 Drugs for Office Use

After the College of Physicians & Surgeons of Alberta reported a man allegedly presenting himself as a physician in Edmonton without a practice permit since 2015, the Alberta College of Pharmacy reminded pharmacy teams on September 8, 2026 that Schedule 1 drugs for office use may only be sold once the provider’s authority to possess them is confirmed. The reminder applies to every community pharmacy that supplies clinic stock.

Sep 10, 2026 · 2 min read Read briefing

Illustrative pharmacy dispensing; not a pharmacy or person involved. M Joko Apriyo Putro / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. Image source

Practice Guidance

NDSAC to Consider Schedule II Status for Epinephrine Nasal Spray at Its September 20 Meeting

NAPRA’s National Drug Scheduling Advisory Committee meets on September 20, 2026 to consider a request for Schedule II status for pre-filled epinephrine nasal spray devices used in anaphylaxis. If adopted by the provinces, community pharmacies would supply the device from behind the counter without a prescription.

Sep 10, 2026 · 3 min read Read briefing

Illustrative nasal spray use; not the product under review. NIAID / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0. Image source

Practice Guidance

CIHI Plans September Health Data Standard Update to Support Connected Care

CIHI has outlined a September 29 update to its national data framework. Pharmacy teams can use the announcement to review information gaps during care transitions.

Sep 9, 2026 · 1 min read Read briefing

AI-generated editorial illustration for Pharmasist.ca. Conceptual connected care; not an actual system architecture or implemented connection.

Practice Guidance

NACI’s 2026–27 Influenza Guidance: Preparing Pharmacy Teams for Fall

NACI’s seasonal guidance informs fall vaccination planning. Pharmacy teams should check age-appropriate products, priority groups and local program availability.

Sep 9, 2026 · 1 min read Read briefing

AI-generated editorial illustration for Pharmasist.ca. An illustrative vaccination room, not an actual clinic or vaccine product.

Practice Guidance

Ontario Pharmacists Gain Nine New Minor Ailments, Technicians Gain Expanded Vaccine Authority, Effective July 1

As of July 1, 2026, Ontario pharmacists and interns can assess and prescribe for nine additional minor ailments and administer six more publicly funded vaccines, while pharmacy technicians can now administer all Schedule 3 vaccines under supervision. The Ontario College of Pharmacists has set out what changed and what training and consent steps pharmacies need in place.

Jul 1, 2026 · 2 min read Read briefing

Illustrative pharmacy photo. National Cancer Institute / Unsplash. Image source

Medication Safety

ISMP Canada Bulletin: Near-Miss Oral Ingestion of a Boric Acid Vaginal Suppository Prompts Packaging Changes

A consumer nearly swallowed a boric acid vaginal suppository after mistaking the oral-look capsule for a vitamin, prompting ISMP Canada and manufacturer Szio+ Inc. to add explicit vaginal-use warnings to the Utiva Yeast Control packaging. Pharmacists selling this and similar non-prescription boric acid products need to counsel proactively, since these are self-selected products often sold without a pharmacist consult.

Feb 26, 2026 · 3 min read Read briefing

Illustrative medication packaging; not the product discussed. Brett Jordan / Unsplash. Image source