Telepharmacy

Open a Telepharmacy

Telepharmacy is the provision of pharmacy services to rural and remote hospitals or facilities not regularly staffed by a pharmacist, usually via a two-way video telecommunication link between a licensed pharmacy and a remote site. A registered pharmacist at a licensed primary pharmacy supervises a pharmacy technician or assistant at a remote site at all times through remote face-to-face technology using audio, video, and computer links as the pharmacy technician or assistant prepares the prescription drug for dispensing by the pharmacist.

All pharmacies operating in Newfoundland and Labrador must be licensed by the College of Pharmacy of Newfoundland and Labrador (CPNL). Application to open a telepharmacy 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 telepharmacy 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 telepharmacy.

A new application must be submitted for each new remote site location.

Eligibility

Must be associated with an existing primary pharmacy that is licensed by CPNL.
Must be located in an area that does not have suitable access to necessary hospital pharmacy services.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

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

Pharmacy Floor Plan per the CPNL Floor Plan Requirements
Telepharmacy Policy and Procedure Manual
Policy and Procedure Manual Outline
the process by which the pharmacy assistant at the remote site receives and processes the prescription;
the process for discussing drug-related problems with the prescriber;
the procedure for extemporaneous compounding of prescriptions;
the procedure for supplying compliance packaging;
the procedure for dispensing narcotics and controlled drugs;
the contingency plan in the event of an interruption in audio, video, or computer link to the central pharmacy;
the contingency plan to ensure continuity in pharmacy service in the event that either or both the pharmacy assistant or supervising pharmacist are unavailable for work on short notice;
the records which must be kept at both the remote site and the primary pharmacy;
the procedure for performing a final check on the packaging or pre-packaging of drugs, including container selection and labeling, prior to dispensing;
the maintenance of patient privacy and confidentiality during all communication with patient or prescriber; and
the storage and security of all medications at the remote site.

Application

If you have determined you are eligible and obtained all the required documentation, you may apply through CPNL’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 Telepharmacy.
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 must undergo an 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 CPNL’s Hospital Pharmacy Practice Consultant.
Complete and Submit a Hospital Pharmacy Self-Assessment at least one week before scheduled pre-opening site visit.
Connect to the Pharmacy Network.

OPERATING Requirements

The pharmacist-in-charge of the primary pharmacy is responsible for all activity at the remote site.
Must be under direct supervision of a registered pharmacists at the primary pharmacy during all hours of operation.
May not remain open if:
there is any interruption in the audio, video, or computer linked between the remote site and the primary pharmacy;
there is no pharmacy assistant on duty at the remote site; or
there is no pharmacist on duty at the primary pharmacy to supervise the remove site.
All applicable Standards of Practice for Hospital Pharmacies apply to the remote site.
A sign must be posted at the dispensary counter of the remote site advising patients and staff when the site is operating in telepharmacy mode.
A prescription dispensed from the remote site should have labelling that makes it distinguishable from a prescription dispensed from the primary pharmacy and include:
the name, address, and telephone number of the primary pharmacy;
a unique identifier, attached to the prescription number, that indicates the drug has been dispensed from the remote site; and
the municipal address of the remote site.
The pharmacist-in-charge is responsible for ensuring that inspections and audits of the remote site are conducted by a registered pharmacist at least once every three months and that written records of all such inspections and audits are retained for a period of at least two years.

Additional Resources

Telepharmacy Services in Hospital Pharmacies Licensing Policy

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