New Pharmacy Security Requirements | Annual Report 2017/2018

In February 2017, the College Board approved amendments to the Pharmacy Operations and Drug Scheduling Act bylaws to establish minimum security measures for community pharmacies as well as revisions to Professional Practice Policy 74: Community Pharmacy and Telepharmacy Security. The amended bylaws which include new provisions for physical barriers came into effect on April 1, 2018.

Note: Telepharmacies are also required to comply with these requirements.

“pharmacy security” means

measures to prevent unauthorized access and loss of Schedule I, IA, II and III drugs, and controlled drug substances;
measures providing for periodic and post-incident review of pharmacy security;
measures to protect against unauthorized access, collection, use, disclosure or disposal of personal health information

The new pharmacy security requirements are the product of a multi-year effort to address serious concerns regarding community pharmacy security. The Vancouver Police Department first brought concerns to the College following an escalating number of community pharmacy robberies. As a result, the College acted fast to introduce initial pharmacy security policies through Professional Practice Policy 74: Community Pharmacy and Telepharmacy Security and the DrugSafeBC program. The College also began to conduct a more fulsome review of community pharmacy security as part of transitioning the policy into bylaws.

Pharmacy Security Requirements Timeline for Compliance

Security Requirements	Description	Timeline for Compliance
Time-Delay Safe	Keep Schedule IA drugs in a locked metal safe that is secured in place and equipped with a time delay lock set at a minimum of five minutes.	Mandatory as of April 21, 2017 for all new and existing community pharmacies
Security Camera System	Install and maintain a security camera system that: has date/time stamped images that are archived and available for no less than 30 days is checked daily for proper operation. * It is important to ensure that images captured by security camera systems are sufficient to enable law enforcement to identify the criminals. * Under the Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA), pharmacies are required to post visible and clear signage informing customers that the premise is being monitored by cameras.	Mandatory as of April 21, 2017 for all new and existing community pharmacies
Physical Barriers	When a full pharmacist is not present and the pharmacy is accessible by non-registrants, Schedule I and II drugs, controlled drug substances and personal health information must be secured by physical barriers. Physical barriers provide an additional layer of security for the protection drugs and confidential health information. Physical barriers can be tailored to the needs and structure of the particular community pharmacy. Some examples of physical barriers include: locked gates, grillwork, locked cabinets, locked doors, and locked shelving units.	Mandatory as of April 21, 2017 for all new community pharmacies. Mandatory as of April 21, 2020 for all existing community pharmacies. Any pharmacy that undergoes renovations must include physical barriers in the renovations.
Monitored Alarm System	When a full pharmacist is not present and the pharmacy is accessible by non-registrants, the dispensary must be secured by a monitored alarm.	Mandatory as of April 21, 2017 for all new and existing community pharmacies when a full pharmacist is not present and the pharmacy premise is accessible to non-registrants. Optional for new and existing community pharmacies where a full pharmacist is present at all times and the premise is accessible by non-registrants.
Motion Sensors	Install and maintain motion sensors in the dispensary. Note: Security experts recommend that 360 degree motion detectors be installed on the ceiling as wall mounted motion detectors are vulnerable to blind spots.	Mandatory as of April 21, 2017 for all new and existing community pharmacies.
Signage	A community pharmacy must clearly display at all external entrances and at the dispensary, signage provided by the College that identifies the premises as a pharmacy. The College will send signage to all new pharmacies at the time of licensure approval. * Signage provides a consistent province-wide deterrent message that additional layers of security are in place. It is critical that all pharmacies comply with this requirement to ensure that their pharmacy does not become a “soft target.”	Mandatory as of April 21, 2017 for all new and existing community pharmacies. Note: A pharmacy that is never open to the public and has no external signage identifying it as a pharmacy is exempt from this requirement.