Satellite Pharmacy

Open a Satellite Pharmacy

Satellite pharmacies are designed to expand pharmacy services and increase accessibility to a pharmacist in areas where conventional practice is unavailable.

All pharmacies operating in Newfoundland and Labrador must be licensed by the College of Pharmacy of Newfoundland and Labrador. Application to open a satellite pharmacy must be submitted by the pharmacist-in-charge of the existing primary pharmacy through the CPNL Pharmacy Portal at least 30 days before any intended opening. All satellite pharmacy licences are issued in the name of the pharmacist-in-charge of the primary pharmacy, who is then also responsible for all activity at the satellite pharmacy.

Eligibility

Must be associated with an existing primary pharmacy that is licensed by the College.
Must be located at least 30 km from any existing licensed pharmacy.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

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

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.
Select the “Yes” option for the Is this a telepharmacy or satellite pharmacy? question
Select the primary pharmacy from the Parent Pharmacy Name dropdown list that appears.
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 Satellite Pharmacy.
Follow the instructions to submit the application and pay the application fee.

Completed applications must be submitted at least 30 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 and up to 4 weeks for final approval. Applicants will be notified by email once a decision has been made. Approved applications are subject to a successful opening inspection. 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.
If the primary pharmacy is outside the local telephone service area of the community in which the satellite pharmacy is located, the primary pharmacy must have toll-free telephone service.
Operating Requirements
The pharmacist-in-charge of the primary pharmacy is responsible for all activity at the satellite pharmacy.
All Standards of Pharmacy Operation and Standards of Practice apply to the satellite pharmacy, unless specifically exempted from any of these Standards by the College.
A prescription dispensed from the satellite pharmacy should have labelling that makes it distinguishable from a prescription dispensed from the primary pharmacy and include:
the telephone number of the primary pharmacy, and
a unique identifier, attached to the prescription number, that indicates the drug has been dispensed from the satellite pharmacy.
Must use a computer system for filling prescriptions and maintaining patient profiles.
Must maintain its own narcotic and controlled drugs inventory and records.
Must carry sufficient inventory to meet the prescription needs of the community and the prescribing practices of local physicians.
Must have regular, posted hours, to a maximum of 16 hours per calendar week, unless otherwise approved by the College.
A sign must be posted at the dispensary counter of the satellite pharmacy notifying patients of:
the hours of the satellite pharmacy,
the affiliation with the primary pharmacy,
the hours of the primary pharmacy, and
the toll-free number of the primary pharmacy to contact when a pharmacist is not available at the satellite pharmacy.

Additional Resources

Licensing Requirements for Satellite Pharmacies in Rural Communities without Conventional Pharmacy Service Policy

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