Ontario · Amendment
Pandemic-era coronavirus exemption provisions removed from pharmacy prescription rules
GENERAL — under the Pharmacy Act, 1991
Recorded date: September 30, 2026
Detected: October 1, 2026. Verify commencement in the official source.
Plain-language summary · AI-assisted
The regulation has been updated to remove all references to the COVID-19 coronavirus exemption that had been in place since March 2020. Practically, the expanded definition of 'adapt' that applied to controlled substances during the pandemic (which allowed pharmacists to change dose regime, de-prescribe, or part-fill controlled substance prescriptions) is gone. The alternative verification option that let pharmacists confirm prescription details from sources like prescription labels or photos when standard methods were unavailable is also removed. The prohibition on pharmacists adapting or renewing prescriptions for controlled substances and monitored drugs now applies without any pandemic-related exception. Pharmacists and pharmacy interns should ensure their prescription adaptation and renewal practices align with the standard rules only.
Who this affects
pharmacists · pharmacy interns · patients requiring prescription adaptations or renewals · pharmacy operators
Check the official text
O. Reg. 256/24 on the official source ↗ · consolidated version 4 → 0
This page isn't an official version of the law and isn't legal advice. Summaries may omit details. Verify the dates and provisions that apply to you against the official source.