Operate a Lock & Leave

Apply to Operate a lock & Leave

As per the Standards of Pharmacy Operation – Community Pharmacy, the dispensary must be self-contained and designed in such a way as to prevent entrance by anyone other than authorized persons. The dispensary must be secured with a lock and leave enclosure if the pharmacy is open to the public or accessible to nonregulated staff members at any time when a pharmacist or pharmacy technician is not present, such as for cleaning, inventory, or overnight stocking. Pharmacists-in-charge planning to install a lock and leave enclosure can apply to do so through their account in the CPNL Pharmacy Portal at least 30 days before utilizing the lock and leave.

If installation of the lock and leave enclosure alters the floor plan of the dispensary, a separate renovation application is also required.

Lock & Leave Requirements

The physical lock and leave enclosure must secure the dispensary and any area of the pharmacy where patient information, prescription records, or Schedule I and II drugs are stored to prevent access by the public and non-registrant staff. These areas must be secured any time the pharmacist or pharmacy technician is not present, even if they are on the pharmacy premises, such as during meal breaks or extended patient consultations.

Physical Enclosure Requirements
The lock and leave enclosure must be a wall with adequate doors to permit complete security during periods of closure and to permit full access by the public to the dispensary area when professional services are available or be a sliding or folding wall that will completely surround and secure the dispensary area during the period of closure.
The wall must be composed of transparent, semi-transparent, or opaque materials, or any combination thereof, and be at least five feet high.
The enclosure must have a lockable entrance that prevents access by the public or non-registrant staff when a pharmacist or pharmacy technician is not in attendance.

Prescription Pick-up

As per the Standards of operation – Community Pharmacy, previously-prepared prescriptions may be made available for pick-up went the look and leave enclosure is secured, in accordance with the following:

Such prescriptions must be stored in a secured area outside the lock and leave enclosure that also provides for any special storage considerations, including breakage and refrigeration.
The patient’s confidentiality must be protected at all times by ensuring the outer package displays only the patient’s name and address.
Any patient or designated agent who picks up a prescription during these times must still be provided with proper and sufficient counseling by the pharmacist.
A documented physical or electronic paper trail of all prescriptions picked up, including patient or designated agent signatures, must be retained in the pharmacy.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

The following documentation is required to be submitted with the Pharmacy Authorization Application.

Supporting documents, diagrams, or pictures demonstrating required specifications are met.

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 Pharmacy Authorization Application link on the side menu.
Click the Start button under the Pharmacy Authorization Application table.
Select “Lock and Leave” from the Authorization Type dropdown box.
Follow the instructions to submit the application and pay the application fee.

Completed applications must be submitted at least 30 days before utilizing the lock and leave and may take 5-7 business days to process once all required documentation and fees are received. Applicants will be notified by email once a decision has been made.

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