Change Pharmacy Ownership

apply to Change Pharmacy Ownership

Pharmacy owners have a legislated responsibility to apply for a change in ownership to the College of Pharmacy of Newfoundland and Labrador before selling an interest in their pharmacy, whether through the sale of the pharmacy or the sale of shares in either the pharmacy or a corporation that holds shares in the pharmacy. Application to change ownership must be submitted by the current pharmacist-in-charge through the CPNL Pharmacy Portal at least 30 days before the expected ownership change. If approved, the current pharmacy licence will be terminated and a new licence issued.

If the pharmacist-in-charge will be changing with the change in pharmacy ownership, an application to change the pharmacist-in-charge must be submitted separately.

Required Documentation

The following documentation is required to be submitted with the Change in Pharmacy Ownership Application.

Ownership Certification

Application

If you have 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 and, if more than one pharmacy profile is linked to your account, click the Select button next to the appropriate pharmacy profile.
Click the Change in Pharmacy Ownership Application link on the side menu.
Click the Start button under the Change in Pharmacy Ownership Application table.
Follow the instructions to submit the application and pay the application fee.
Step 5 – Owners/Shareholders section: To indicate any current owners that will no longer hold ownership in the pharmacy, click the Edit button next to the appropriate name, check the Request to remove shareholder/owner checkbox, and click the Save & Continue button.

Completed applications must be submitted at least 30 days before the scheduled date of change and may take 7-10 business days to process once the required documentation and fees are received. Applicants will be notified by email once a decision has been made. If approved, the applicant must pay the annual licensing fee by logging into the Pharmacy Portal, clicking the Invoice & Receipts link on the side menu, and clicking the Review & Pay button next to the appropriate invoice.

On the scheduled date of change, the current pharmacy licence will become inactive and a new pharmacy licence will be issued. The pharmacy licence will be updated on the Public Register on the approved scheduled date of change and the updated pharmacy licence certificate can be downloaded from the Pharmacy Portal.

PosT-Approval Requirements

Notify patients of pending ownership change and facilitate the transfer of eligible prescriptions if requested by the patient.
Ensure confidential transfer of computerized and physical patient records.
Reconcile the controlled substances inventory before the change of ownership occurs
Retain a copy of the reconciled inventory of narcotics, controlled drugs, and benzodiazepines signed by both the selling and acquiring pharmacists-in-charge.
Notify the Government of Canada Office of Controlled Substances of the transfer of inventory within 10 days of the transaction date and report any unreconciled discrepancies.
If a change in ownership includes a pharmacy name change, ensure all interior and exterior signage with the current pharmacy operating name is removed from the premises the time of closure.
Notify third-party payers of the change in ownership and licence number.
Complete and submit a Community Pharmacy Self-Assessment within one month of the new pharmacy licence being issued.

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

Additional Resources

Change in Pharmacy Ownership Policy

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