Remote dispensing

In December 2009, the Ontario government passed Bill 179. Along with giving effect to legislation promoting inter-professional collaboration and enhanced scopes of practice for many health professionals, Bill 179 also gave authority to the Ontario College of Pharmacists to develop regulations to enable remote dispensing.

There are currently two different models of remote dispensing. One, for example, already in use in remote areas of British Columbia, involves prescriptions being dispensed at a physical location away from the accredited pharmacy which operates it. Another, being piloted through a few Ontario hospitals, involves the dispensing of drugs to patients through automated dispensing machines.

The Council of the College has now approved the proposed regulations, which will be circulated for consultation and feedback to all members, pharmacy stakeholders and other interested parties. All feedback will be considered prior to final ratification, expected to occur at the College's September Council meeting. Once ratified, these proposals would then be sent to Ontario's Ministry of Health and Long Term Care for approval.

We invite you to share your thoughts in writing to the Ontario Pharmacists’ Association via email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or to 375 University Avenue, Suite 800, Toronto, ON M5G 2J5.