The pharmacy briefing

News & insight.

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

125 results
Practice Guidance

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
Medication Safety

Health Canada Posts Two August Recalls of Dr. Reddy’s Semaglutide Injection: a Mislabelled Pen, Then an Impurity Across All Lots

Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Canada recalled its Semaglutide Injection 1.34 mg/mL twice in August 2026: one lot containing a 4 mg pen labelled as 2 mg (August 12), then every lot of both DINs for an out-of-specification impurity (August 27). Community pharmacies holding the product should quarantine stock and contact patients dispensed the affected lots.

Sep 10, 2026 · 2 min read Read briefing
Illustrative injection pen; not the recalled product. Mr Hyde / Wikimedia Commons, public domain. Image source
Regulatory Update

OCP Outlines Pharmacy Technician Changes Ahead of October 1 Controlled Substances Regulations

Health Canada's new Controlled Substances Regulations take effect October 1, replacing three separate federal instruments -- and OCP has published a comparison chart plus Health Canada is running information sessions to help pharmacists and technicians prepare for new authorities on both sides of the counter.

Sep 8, 2026 · 4 min read Read briefing
AI-generated editorial illustration created for Pharmasist.ca. Illustrative pharmacy technician workflow; not a real controlled-substance transaction.
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

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