M-9, r. 12.2.1 - Regulation respecting certain professional activities that may be engaged in by a pharmacist

Updated to 1 June 2024

This document has official status.

chapter M-9, r. 12.2.1

Regulation respecting certain professional activities that may be engaged in by a pharmacist

Medical Act

(chapter M-9, s. 19, 1st par., subpar. b).

DIVISION I GENERAL

O.C. 1400-2020, Div. I.

1. The purpose of this Regulation is to determine, among the professional activities that may be engaged in by physicians, those that may be engaged in by a pharmacist pursuant to the terms and conditions prescribed in the Regulation.

O.C. 1400-2020, s. 1.

DIVISION II PRESCRIPTION OF MEDICATION

O.C. 1400-2020, Div. II.

2. In the practice of his or her profession, a pharmacist may prescribe medication referred to in Schedule I to the Regulation respecting the terms and conditions for the sale of medications (chapter P-10, r. 12) to a patient who has received treatment for one of the following health problems in the past:

(1)  minor acne (without nodules or pustules);

(2)  mouth ulcers;

(3)  dermal candidiasis;

(4)  oral candidiasis;

(5)  allergic conjunctivitis;

(6)  atopic dermatitis requiring the use of a moderate strength of corticosteroids;

(7)  primary dysmenorrhea;

(8)  diaper rash;

(9)  hemorrhoids;

(10)  herpes labialis;

(11)  urinary infections in women, where the patient has received not more than one treatment for that health problem in the last 6 months or not more than 2 treatments in the last 12 months;

(12)  allergic rhinitis;

(13)  yeast vaginitis.

However, a pharmacist may not prescribe medication where more than 5 years have elapsed since the last treatment prescribed for that same health problem by another professional empowered to prescribe medication. For the treatment of oral candidiasis not resulting from the use of a corticosteroid inhaler and the health problems referred to in subparagraphs 7 and 9 of the first paragraph, that time period is reduced by 2 years.

In addition, medication prescribed under this section must belong to a class of medications of equal or lesser strength than the medication prescribed in the past.

O.C. 1400-2020, s. 2.

3. A pharmacist may also prescribe

(1)  antiviral treatment to a patient showing signs and symptoms similar to herpes zoster, except where they are present in the head region;

(2)  treatment against influenza or coronavirus disease to a symptomatic patient who is at risk of developing complications.

The pharmacist must then enter the reasons for initiating medication therapy on a form to be given to the patient. In addition, the pharmacist must refer the patient to a physician or specialized nurse practitioner:

(1)  within 3 days after the initiation of the antiviral treatment against herpes zoster;

(2)  2 days after the initiation of the treatment against influenza or coronavirus disease, if the condition of the patient deteriorates.

O.C. 1400-2020, s. 3; O.C. 623-2022, s. 1.

4. Despite sections 2 and 3, a pharmacist may not prescribe medication where the health problem is accompanied by one of the following elements:

(1)  a recurrent or persistent sign or symptom after the first medication prescribed by the pharmacist is taken;

(2)  a sign or a symptom suggesting the presence of an undiagnosed chronic or systemic disease;

(3)  a sign or symptom suggesting a decline or alteration in the functioning of an organ or a system;

(4)  an unusual reaction to the medication.

The pharmacist must then refer the patient to a professional empowered to assess his or her state of health and enter the reasons justifying the decision on a form to be given to the patient.

O.C. 1400-2020, s. 4.

5. A pharmacist who prescribes medication under this Regulation must send the following information to the initial prescriber or to the physician or specialized nurse practitioner to whom the patient was referred:

(1)  the health problem treated;

(2)  the full name of the medication;

(3)  the dose, including the pharmaceutical form, the dosage and, where applicable, the concentration;

(4)  the duration of the treatment and the quantity prescribed.

O.C. 1400-2020, s. 5.

DIVISION III AUTHORIZATION OF OTHER PERSONS

O.C. 1400-2020, Div. III.

6. A person who is in the process of obtaining a permit to practise pharmacy within the meaning of the Regulation respecting the professional activities that may be engaged in by a pharmacy technical assistant, a pharmacy technician and a person in the process of obtaining a permit to practise pharmacy (chapter P-10, r. 3.01) may engage in the professional activities provided for in this Regulation if the person engages in the activities under the constant supervision of a pharmacist responsible for the activities who must be available to intervene on short notice.

O.C. 1400-2020, s. 6; O.C. 1323-2022, s. 1.

DIVISION IV FINAL

O.C. 1400-2020, Div. IV.

7. This Regulation replaces the Regulation respecting certain professional activities that may be engaged in by a pharmacist (chapter M-9, r. 12.2).

O.C. 1400-2020, s. 7.

8. (Omitted).

O.C. 1400-2020, s. 8.

REFERENCES

O.C. 1400-2020, 2020 G.O. 2, 3339A

O.C. 623-2022, 2022 G.O. 2, 946A

O.C. 1323-2022, 2022 G.O. 2, 2535