Community Pharmacy

Open a Community Pharmacy

All pharmacies operating in Newfoundland and Labrador must be licensed by the College of Pharmacy of Newfoundland and Labrador. Application to open a community pharmacy must be submitted by the pharmacist-in-charge through the CPNL Pharmacy Portal at least 90 days before any intended opening. All pharmacy licences approved by the College are issued in the name of the pharmacist-in-charge of the pharmacy.

Pharmacist-in-Charge

To operate a pharmacy in Newfoundland and Labrador, the pharmacy must have a designated pharmacist-in-charge (PIC). The PIC is the licence-holder of the pharmacy and is responsible for establishing and implementing policies and procedures for a given pharmacy and for ensuring that the pharmacy provides safe and quality services per the Pharmacy Act, its Regulations, Bylaws, Standards of Pharmacy Operation, and Standards of Practice as established by the College, as well as other applicable provincial and federal legislation and any other requirements established by the College.

Duties of a pharmacist-in-charge

The designation of pharmacist-in-charge carries significant professional responsibility and specific legislated duties as per the Pharmacy Regulations, 2024. The duties include:

actively directing, controlling, and managing the pharmacy;
prohibiting an owner or other person from directing, influencing, controlling, or participating in the management or operation of the pharmacy;
practising in the pharmacy for the minimum number of hours set by the College;
where required by the College, ensuring that another pharmacist is designated as pharmacist-in-charge when the pharmacist in charge is away from the pharmacy;
developing, maintaining, and enforcing written policies and procedures for pharmacy staff in accordance with applicable legislation and the College’s Standards of Pharmacy Operation and Standards of Practice;
ensuring that persons who are employed by the pharmacy to engage in the practice of pharmacy are registered with the College;
notifying the College when a person registered with the College begins or ceases employment with the pharmacy;
notifying the College of any changes to the information included on the pharmacy licence application;
notifying the College of a contravention of their Standards of Pharmacy Operation or Standards of Practice;
ensuring that the pharmacy has an adequate staffing complement for the safe practice of pharmacy;
ensuring that confidentiality is maintained with respect to all pharmacy and patient records in accordance with all applicable legislation and the College’s Standards of Pharmacy Operation and Standards of Practice;
ensuring correct usage of the operating name of the pharmacy with regard to prescription labels, contact information, interior and exterior signs, or media advertising;
ensuring that the pharmacy is appropriately secured against loss, theft, and diversion;
ensuring that the pharmacy has the facilities, space, equipment, resources, and systems in place to support the safe and effective operation of the pharmacy, in accordance with the College’s Standards of Pharmacy Operation and Standards of Practice; 
cooperating with any person appointed by the College in accordance with the Act or any regulations under the Act; and
ensuring compliance with all federal and provincial legislation pertaining to the practice of pharmacy and licensing of pharmacies including the Act, all regulations under the Act, the by-laws, and the College’s Standards of Pharmacy Operation and Standards of Practice.

Eligibility to be Designated pharmacist-in-charge
be registered as a pharmacist with the College in good standing with no restrictions or conditions to their practice;
have practiced pharmacy in Canada for at least 12 months immediately before applying to be designated pharmacist-in-charge;
agree to be present in the pharmacy for which they are designated pharmacist-in-charge for at least half the operating hours (up to 40 hours per week); amd
successfully complete the CPNL Pharmacist-in-Charge Education Program.

Before Applying

Review Legislation, Standards, and Guidelines.
sections 31 and 33 of the Pharmacy Act, 2024
sections 6-9 of the Pharmacy Regulations, 2024
CPNL Bylaws
Standards of Pharmacy Operation – Community Pharmacy
All Standards of Practice for Newfoundland and Labrador pharmacies
Designate a Pharmacist-in-Charge.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

The following documentation is required to be submitted with the Application to Open a Community Pharmacy.

Ownership Certification
Pharmacy Floor Plan per the CPNL Floor Plan Requirements

Application

If you have completed the steps in the Before Applying section and obtained all the required documentation, you may apply through the College’s online pharmacy portal by following the steps below.

Click Pharmacy Portal in the Portal Login menu at the top right of the webpage.
Log into your account.
Click the Submit New Pharmacy Profile button
Complete the Pharmacy Information form and click the Save button.
Click the Licence Application & Renewal link on the side menu.
Click the Apply for Licence button under the Pharmacy Applications table.
Click the Select this Application button under the Application to Open a Community Pharmacy.
Follow the instructions to submit the application and pay the application fee.

Completed applications must be submitted at least 90 days before the date they are scheduled to open and may take 7-10 business days to process once all required documentation and fees are received. Applicants will be notified by email once a decision has been made. Approved applications are subject to a successful opening inspection and connection to the Pharmacy Network. If approved, the applicant must pay the annual licensing fee by logging into the Pharmacy Portal and clicking the Pay Licence Fee button next to the appropriate application.

The pharmacy will be added to the Public Register on the approved scheduled opening date and the licence will be effective until December 31st of the licensing year. The pharmacy licence certificate can be downloaded from the Pharmacy Portal.

Pre-opening Requirements

Schedule and participate in a pre-opening site visit with the College’s Community Pharmacy Practice Consultant.
Complete and Submit a Community Pharmacy Self-Assessment at least one week before schedule pre-opening site visit.
Connect to the Pharmacy Network.

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