Change Pharmacist-in-Charge

Pharmacists-in-charge of existing pharmacies who will be leaving the pharmacy have a legislated responsibility to ensure another pharmacist is designated as pharmacist-in-charge before leaving if the pharmacy is to continue to operate. Both the current pharmacist-in-charge and the proposed pharmacist-in-charge are required to apply for the change and both completed applications must be received before the change can be processed.

Current Pharmacist-in-Charge

Application

If you have selected an eligible pharmacist to designate as the new pharmacist-in-charge upon your departure and agreed upon a date the change will take place, you may apply for the change 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 and, if more than one pharmacy profile is linked to your account, click the Select button next to the appropriate pharmacy profile.
Click the Application to Change Pharmacist in Charge link on the side menu.
Click the Start button under the Application to Change Pharmacist in Charge table.
Follow the instructions to submit the application and pay the application fee.

Completed applications must be submitted 30 days before the scheduled date of change and may take 5-7 business days to process once the corresponding application and fees are received. Applications submitted less than 30 days before the scheduled date of change are subject to an increased application fee. Applicants will be notified by email once a decision has been made.

The pharmacist-in-charge will be changed on the Public Register on the approved scheduled date of change and the updated pharmacy licence certificate can be downloaded from the Pharmacy Portal.

Proposed Pharmacist-in-Charge

Eligibility

Be registered as a pharmacist with the College in good standing with no restrictions or conditions to 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).
Successfully complete the CPNL Pharmacist-in-Charge Education Program.

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.

Application

If you have agreed to be designated as the new pharmacist-in-charge of an existing pharmacy, you may apply for the change through the College’s online pharmacy portal by following the steps below.

Click Registrant Portal in the Portal Login menu at the top right of the webpage.
Log into your account.
Click the Application to be Designated Pharmacist-in-Charge of Existing Pharmacy link on the side menu.
Click the Start button under the Application to be Designated Pharmacist-in-Charge of Existing Pharmacy table.
Follow the instructions to submit the application.

Completed applications must be submitted 30 days before the scheduled date of change and may take 5-7 business days to process once the corresponding application and fees are received. Applicants will be notified by email once a decision has been made.

The pharmacist-in-charge will be changed on the Public Register on the approved scheduled date of change and the updated pharmacy licence certificate can be downloaded from the Pharmacy Portal.

The new pharmacist-in-charge must re-reprint the pharmacy licence certificate with the revised pharmacist-in-charge name once it has been updated on the register.

Additional Resources

Requirements for Authorization to be Designated Pharmacist-in-Charge of a Pharmacy.

Scroll to Top