The NSCP has ensured that in an event where the physical office is not available, operations are able to continue offsite. On March 15, the provincial government directed organizations and businesses in Nova Scotia to practice social distancing and support staff in working from home if possible. The NSCP took this direction very seriously and is committed to doing its part to keep Nova Scotians safe.

 During the COVID-19 pandemic, NSCP staff are working remotely to their full capacity, including:

• responding to general phone and email inquiries and requests;
• registering and licensing pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, interns, students, and pharmacies;
• responding to pharmacy practice questions;
• investigating and addressing complaints and concerns; and
• sharing updates through the website and via mass communications to registrants.

As part of the healthcare system’s overall response to the COVID-19 virus, the Nova Scotia College of Pharmacists (NSCP) has asked pharmacists to restrict medications for a 30-day period. The demand for prescription drugs resulting from the public feeling the need to stockpile medications was putting Nova Scotians at risk of increased drug shortages, and as such the NSCP was asked to intervene. This is a temporary measure designed to enable pharmacies to help ensure all Nova Scotians continue to have access to medications at this challenging time.

The NSCP carefully considered the implications of this decision for the public in consultation with Public Health, government and those managing the province’s drug supply chain. The NSCP only took this action when it was evident that it was a necessary measure in order to protect the supply of drugs for all Nova Scotians. Similar measures are being taken in other provinces. There are costs incurred by pharmacies to dispense a prescription and these are covered by the dispensing fee. It is not reasonable to expect pharmacies to absorb these costs and continue to provide services during these extreme times. Pharmacies are following the directions designed for the public’s good and the compensation is reasonable.

Many of the measures being taken by Public Health and other healthcare system partners at this time are having a significant impact on individuals, however they are being taken for the protection of the public’s health and safety.

We look forward to being on the other side of this crisis. Until then, we ask for your patience and understanding with this temporary measure.

It is important that we recognize the added challenges for those working in the healthcare system during a pandemic like COVID-19. Pharmacy practitioners are ultimately accountable for their actions at all times, including during an outbreak, and they make decisions based on available information, the needs of the patient, their duty to provide care, and their obligation to protect themselves and their families.

The following resources are meant to support the public, pharmacy practitioners and employers in understanding their accountabilities during this time:

Standard of Care During a Crisis

A Pharmacy Professional’s Duty During a Crisis: An Ethical Framework

Dispensed Days Supply

Emergency Protocol: Prescribing Narcotics, Controlled and Targeted Drugs

Fax Transmission of Prescriptions Policy – Amendments

First Aid/CPR Certification Expiration

MAiD Standards and the Return of Medication Policy – Amendments

Nova Scotia Prescription Monitoring Program (NSPMP) and Drug Information System (DIS) – Changes to Enable Pharmacist Prescribing of CDSA Drugs

Opioid Agonist Maintenance Treatment (OAMT) Services During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Prescribing in a Public Health Emergency/Crisis Standards (Appendix H)

Private Consultation Rooms – Extended Deadline

Information from Health Canada

Subsection 56(1) Class Exemption for Patients, Practitioners and Pharmacists Prescribing and Providing Controlled Substances in Canada During the Coronavirus Pandemic

Controlled Substances Bulletin – Requirements for Chain of Signatures in Light of COVID-19

March 28, 2020

COVID-19 Pharmacy Practice Provisions and Guidance

March 24, 2020

Emergency Protocol for Prescribing CDSA Drugs; Changes to NSPMP and DIS; Fax Transmission Policy

March 22, 2020

Health Canada CDSA Exemption; Verifying Authenticity; Provision of OAMT

March 18, 2020

Dispensed Days Supply; Prescribing in a Public Health Emergency/Crisis

March 17, 2020 (updated March 21, 2020; updated March 31, 2020)

Inappropriate COVID-19 Prescribing

Joint Statement on the Unproven Therapies for COVID-19

March 14, 2020

COVID-19 Guidance from NSCP

Temporary Pharmacy Closures Policy

Temporary closure of community pharmacies has the potential to adversely impact patient care and safety. As the role of the pharmacist and the services they provide expands, the significance of temporary pharmacy closures also rises. Pharmacies enter into a contract with patients regarding the provision of their care that includes that the pharmacy will provide the patient with reasonable access to their medication and record when needed and/or requested.

In consideration of the public safety issues associated with temporary pharmacy closures, this policy sets out requirements for pharmacy managers and owners who may need to close the pharmacy temporarily due to the planned absence of a pharmacist or to unplanned events that are outside the control of the pharmacy manager and/or owner.

Temporary Pharmacy Closures Policy

Posters/Signage

Pharmacy Association of Nova Scotia (PANS) Coronavirus Sign

Pharmacy Cleaning Guidelines Poster

In December 2019, Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) emerged in the city of Wuhan, China. Since then, there have been reports in several countries, including Canada. On March 11, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic. Symptoms of COVID-19 range from mild to severe and can include fever, cough, difficulty breathing, pneumonia and kidney failure. In many cases, clients recover, and in very severe cases, it may cause death.

Please see the following resources for more information about COVID-19:

World Health Organization

Spectrum

Government Websites

Government of Nova Scotia

Government of Canada