GOVERNING THE PRACTICE OF PHARMACY IN NOVA SCOTIA IN THE INTEREST OF THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF THE PUBLIC
Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)
PLEASE NOTE: All appointments for the COVID-19 vaccine are coordinated centrally by the Nova Scotia Department of Health and Wellness and can only be booked online at https://www.novascotia.ca/vaccination or by calling toll-free 1-833-797-7772.
Pharmacies are not able to schedule vaccine appointments or answer questions about when you will be eligible to be vaccinated.
Please visit the provincial COVID-19 vaccine page for more information.
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As the healthcare system responds to COVID-19, the NSCP is actively working with health system stakeholders to ensure that pharmacy practitioners are able to do all they can to meet the public’s health needs and to protect the drug supply for all Nova Scotians. Many of the measures being taken by the NSCP, 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 are all looking forward to being on the other side of this crisis. Until then, we ask for your patience and cooperation.
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.
Government of Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia COVID-19 Vaccine Program: Information for Health Care Professionals (Evergreen Document) – Updated May 6, 2022
COVID-19 mRNA Vaccines: Summary of Use for Health Care Providers
Information about COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Doses (patient)
Primary Immunodeficiency: Eligibility for a Third Dose of COVID-19 Vaccine in Nova Scotia
Immunosupressive Medication List – Updated October 19, 2021
COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout Information
Documentation Errors in CANImmunize Clinic Flow
Correction of Documentation Errors within CANImmunize Clinic Flow
NSCP Advisory
Registrar’s Advisory: Community Pharmacy Involvement in COVID-19 Vaccination
NSH COVID-19 Vaccine Pharmacist Consult Service
Nova Scotia Health’s (NSH) Pharmacy Department is launching the COVID-19 Vaccine Pharmacist Consult Service. This consult service will be available from 8:30 am until 4:30 pm, 7 days a week. You can reach this consult service by calling 1-833-768-1151. Please note: if calling outside of the scheduled hours, you will be directed to call the following day.
When calling, pharmacists will be directed to a NSH pharmacist who will:
- Answer vaccination consent category 1-3 questions and answer consent category 4-5 questions in collaboration with Vaccination Clinical Support Physicians (VACS)
- Answer storage, stability, and administration questions
- Provide general vaccine information
More information on the consult service can be found here.
Webinars
Building COVID-19 Vaccine Confidence Before, During and After Pregnancy (Register for March 17, 2022)
Preparing for Pediatric COVID-19 Immunization and Adult Booster Doses (November 17, 2021)
Revaccination with COVID-19 Vaccines After Anaphylaxis (November 15, 2021)
Seasonal Influenza Immunization 2021-2022 (October 27, 2021)
COVID-19 Variants and Vaccines (June 23, 2021)
NACI Recommendations on COVID-19 Vaccine Interchangeability (June 21, 2021)
Addressing COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy in Clinical Practice (May 19, 2021)
Recommendation of the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) on Extended Dose Intervals for COVID-19 Vaccines (May 5, 2021)
COVID-19 Vaccine Emerging Issues Webinar: Vaccine-induced Immune Thrombotic Thrombocytopenia (VITT) (April 21, 2021)
COVID-19 Vaccines – Delayed Injection Site Reactions (March 11, 2021)
COVID-19 Vaccines – Planning for Immunization Clinics (March 1, 2021)
COVID-19 Vaccines Foundational Webinar (February 23, 2021)
COVID-19 Vaccines – Allergies, Anaphylaxis and LDV Syringe Discussion (February 10, 2021)
Recommendations of the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) on the use of the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine (December 30, 2020)
Recommendations of the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) on the use of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine (December 18, 2020)
COVID-19 Vaccine Foundations for Health Care Providers (December 14, 2020)
Health Canada
Quick Reference Guide on the Use of COVID-19 Vaccines for Youth and Adults (12 years and over)
Quick Reference Guide on the Use of COVID-19 Vaccines for Children 5 to 11 Years of Age
COVID-19 Vaccine Tool Kit for Health Care Providers – Updated May 7, 2021
COVID-19 Vaccines and Low Dead Volume (LDV) Syringes
Pfizer-BioNTech
Adult Vaccine
Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine: What you should know (patient)
Pfizer Comirnaty Information about COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Doses
Important Information about Myocarditis and Pericarditis
Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine Monograph Canada
Pfizer COVID -19 Vaccine Information Sheet (patient)
Pfizer Health Care Professionals Website
Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine: Information About Low Dead-Volume Syringes
Pediatric Vaccine
Pfizer COVID-19 Pediatric Vaccine Information Sheet (patient)
Pfizer Health Care Professionals Website – Updated November 19, 2021 for pediatric vaccine
Moderna
Moderna COVID-19 vaccine: What you should know (patient)
Moderna Spikevax Vaccines Information about COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Doses
Important Information about Myocarditis and Pericarditis
Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine Monograph Canada
Moderna Resources for Canadian Healthcare Professionals and Patients
Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine Information Sheet (patient)
Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine Storage and Handling
AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine: What you should know (patient)
AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine Monograph Canada
AstraZeneca COVID-19 Information Sheet (patient)
PHAC Infobulletin on VITT for Health Care Providers
Access to Canadian-specific labelling information during the initial distribution of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine (US-labelled vaccine supplies) (For April 6th Shipment ONLY)
Janssen
Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine Information Sheet (patient)
Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine: What you should know (patient)
Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine Monograph Canada
Medicago
Medicago COVID-19 Vaccine Monograph Canada
Centre for Effective Practice
USP
USP COVID-19 Vaccine Handling Toolkit
Nova Scotia College of Pharmacists Relaxes 30-Day Prescription Measure
Pharmacies in Nova Scotia Can Now Provide Prescriptions Based on Availability from Manufacturers
The 30-day prescription measure implemented in an effort to prevent drug shortages has been successful in replenishing the supply of a number of medications in Nova Scotia. Pharmacies have been advised that they may begin dispensing prescription quantities as prescribed for medications that have a stable supply. However, as global disruption in the manufacturing and supply of drugs continues to impact Canada, some medications remain in short and unstable supply. For these drugs, pharmacies will continue to dispense a 30-day quantity.
Since March, the NSCP has been working with its national counterparts, including Health Canada, to protect Nova Scotians from medication shortages. The 30-day prescription measure was implemented on the strong recommendation of those who monitor the nation’s drug supply. “We recognize the burden that additional pharmacy costs have on some Nova Scotians and we’ve always been committed to relaxing this measure as soon as it was safe to do so. We’re pleased that the measure is working, and we can now move cautiously in this direction,” said Beverley Zwicker, CEO and Registrar of the NSCP.
The NSCP will continue to carefully monitor the drug supply at provincial and national levels. Zwicker adds, “While the 30-day prescription measure has been successful in limiting drug shortages at this time, we anticipate additional impacts from manufacturing disruptions in China and India which have been hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. These countries are major suppliers of Canada’s drugs.”
The College is asking for all Nova Scotians’ continued cooperation, including waiting to request refills until they are needed and understanding that reduced quantities may be necessary for some drugs so that no patients go without. “No one in Nova Scotia should be without the medication they need. That’s why this measure was introduced, and that’s why we must continue to consider our individual and collective responsibility in protecting the province’s drug supply during COVID-19. We’re in this together.”
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
Amendments to Drug Administration Standards
Temporary Suspension of Drug Administration Notification During COVID-19
Emergency Protocol: Prescribing Narcotics, Controlled and Targeted Drugs
Fax Transmission of Prescriptions Policy – Amendments
MAiD Standards and the Return of Medication Policy – Amendments
Opioid Agonist Maintenance Treatment (OAMT) Services During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Prescribing in a Public Health Emergency/Crisis Standards
Prescribing Renewals – 180 Day Limit
Information from Health Canada
Controlled Substances Bulletin – Requirements for Chain of Signatures in Light of COVID-19
NSCP Professional Notices
May 10, 2022
Pharmacist Prescribing Inhaled Budesonide for Mild SARS-CoV-2 Respiratory Symptoms
April 29, 2022
Reduced Age Limit for Drug Administration of Flu and COVID Vaccines
April 6, 2022
Paxlovid™ (nirmatrelvir/ritonavir) Information and Resources
March 2, 2022
NSH COVID-19 Antiviral Therapy Consult Service; Inhaled Budesonide
January 27, 2022
Paxlovid™ (nirmatrelvir/ritonavir) Oral Treatment for COVID-19
December 20, 2021
Documentation Errors within CANImmunize Clinic Flow
December 17, 2021
Omicron Infection Prevention and Control Measures
December 9, 2021
Incorporation of COVID-19 Provisions into Standards
November 30, 2021
Mitigating Risks When Administering Multiple Vaccines
November 18, 2021
Updated NSCN/NSCP Joint Statement on Nurses Employed in Community Pharmacies
November 17, 2021
Updated Health Canada s.56 Exemption: Transfers from Other Provinces
November 4, 2021
Guidance: Asymptomatic COVID-19 Testing in Community Pharmacies
June 22, 2021
Extension of Health Canada CDSA Exemption
May 4, 2021
Preparation of COVID-19 Vaccine Syringes
April 28, 2021
Temporary Pharmacy Closures; COVID-19 Vaccine Screening
April 26, 2021
Critical Use of PPE During Third Wave
April 1, 2021
Update: Pharmacy Involvement in the COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout
March 15, 2021
Registrar’s Advisory on COVID-19 Immunization; Nurses as Immunizers in Pharmacies
March 3, 2021
Confirmation on Requirement for Duplicate Prescription Forms
March 2, 2021
Update: Pharmacy Involvement in the COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout
February 11, 2021
Pharmacy Involvement in the COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout
December 29, 2020
Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine Webinar – Dec 30
December 27, 2020
Upcoming Moderna Webinar – Dec 29
October 9, 2020
NS Drug Information System (NS DIS) Prescription Transfers for Monitored CDSA Drugs
September 9, 2020
Update on Pharmacy Practice Provisions for COVID-19
July 30, 2020
Mandatory Use of Non-Medical Masks in Community Pharmacies
June 16, 2020
May 19, 2020
Change to 30 Days Supply Measure
May 1, 2020
Guidance for Staff Who Test Positive for COVID-19 and Close Contacts
April 27, 2020
Clinical Practice Consultant Service
April 20, 2020
Opioid Agonist Therapy (OAT) Community of Practice Resource and Physician Call List
April 18, 2020
Amendments to Drug Administration Standards
April 14, 2020
Temporary Suspension of 180 Days Renewal Limit; Keeping DIS Current
April 9, 2020
Pharmacy Infection Control Measures During COVID-19
April 8, 2020
April 6, 2020
COVID-19 Practice Questions and Pharmacy Closures
April 1, 2020
CCP Discontinuation; Prescribing During the COVID-19 Pandemic; COVID-19 Screening
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
Special Bulletins from the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health
April 29, 2022
April 5, 2022
February 9, 2022
Memo from the Deputy Chief Medical Officer of Health: Post-Infection Vaccination Timing
February 8, 2022
February 7, 2022
January 24, 2022
January 10, 2022
December 8, 2021
Memo from the Chief Medical Officer of Health: COVID-19 Reporting Requirements
November 19, 2021
November 5, 2021
October 15, 2021
October 7, 2021
October 6, 2021
September 17, 2021
August 31, 2021
August 20, 2021
March 31, 2021
March 22, 2021
February 26, 2021
December 17, 2020
Special Bulletin from the Chief Medical Officer of Health: COVID-19 Immunization
September 4, 2020
May 22, 2020
Special Bulletin from the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health: 2019 Novel Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2)
April 8, 2020
Special Bulletin from the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health: 2019 Novel Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2)
March 11, 2020
Special Bulletin from the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health: 2019 Novel Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2)
March 9, 2020
Special Bulletin from the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health: 2019 Novel Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2)
February 27, 2020
Special Bulletin from the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health: 2019 Novel Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2)
February 6, 2020
January 29, 2020
January 27, 2020
Community Pharmacy Involvement in COVID-19 Vaccination
Registrar’s Advisory: Community Pharmacy Involvement in COVID-19 Vaccination
Asymptomatic COVID-19 Point of Care Testing
Registrar’s Advisory: Asymptomatic COVID-19 Point of Care Testing in Community Pharmacies
Re-opening Guidance
Re-opening Guidance for Health Care Services Settings – Prepared May 27, 2020
Pharmacy Infection Control
NSCP Pharmacy Infection Control Measures During COVID-19
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
Notification of Temporary Pharmacy Closure Form
Virtual Services
Registrar’s Advisory: Pharmacy Practice Guidelines for Virtual Pharmacy During COVID-19
Posters/Signage
How to Wear a Non-Medical Mask
Cleaning Guidelines (NSCP and PANS)
Temporary Closure with Prescription Pick Up Contact Information
Temporary Closure with Partner Pharmacy Contact Information
Temporary Closure with OAMT Contact Information
Temporary Closure with Reopening Information
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:
Maritime SPOR SUPPORT Unit (MSSU)
CADTH: Drug Treatments for COVID-19
Government Websites
Government of Canada: Guidance Documents
Contact Us
PLEASE NOTE: The NSCP office is operating remotely until further notice in support of provincial efforts to manage COVID-19.
The NSCP receives a high volume of inquiries and will continue to work hard to respond to each as promptly as possible, typically within two business days. We welcome comments and suggestions about our website. Please email feedback to info@nspharmacists.ca.
Office Location
800-1801 Hollis Street
Halifax, Nova Scotia
B3J 3N4
Office Hours
Monday to Friday
8:30am to 4:30pm
General Inquiries
info@nspharmacists.ca
Phone
902-422-8528
Fax
902-422-0885
CEO and Registrar
Beverley Zwicker
902-422-8528 ext 239
Director of Professional Services and Deputy Registrar
Sue Sampson
902-422-8528 ext 238
Director of Corporate Services
Kate Wall
902-422-8528 ext 244
Office and IT Manager
Katie Sexton
902-422-8528 ext 230
Registrations Manager
Melissa Rhodes
902-422-8528 ext 231
Registrations Officer
Bailey Dumville
902-422-8528 ext 246
Registrations Assistant
Jerome Coffie
Pharmacy Practice and Quality Assurance Manager
Anne Marentette
902-422-8528 ext 232
Pharmacy Practice Assistant Manager
Anique Comeau
902-422-8528 ext 248
Quality Assurance Assistant Manager
Tracey Chiasson
902-422-8528 ext 240
Policy Development and Research Manager
Andrea Bishop
902-422-8528 ext 236
Policy Associate
Talent Ndlovu
902-422-8528 ext 245
Professional Accountability Manager
Tiffany Savary
902-422-8528 ext 234
Professional Accountability Associate
Kate Davis
902-422-8528 ext 233