Safely obtaining your medications from pharmacies

The Nova Scotia College of Pharmacists is working to ensure you can continue to safely obtain your prescription medications during the COVID-19 pandemic.

With this goal in mind, the College has provided guidance to pharmacies so that you can continue to be safe when you access medications and health care advice. We are requesting your co-operation, as well:

Communicate with pharmacy staff about when you will need your medication and how you should obtain it. Your pharmacist ensures that each prescription you receive is appropriate, safe and best suited for you. This requires time. If you do not need your medication urgently, please let staff know.

Ask a friend or relative to pick-up your prescription medications if you are sick or have conditions that make you particularly vulnerable to severe illness from COVID19.

Consider taking advantage of the option for home delivery of medications offered by many pharmacies.

Check with your pharmacy to see if they provide curbside pick up for medications so that you don’t need to enter the pharmacy.

Always keep at least two metres (6 feet) away from others and use available hand sanitizers when entering and leaving the pharmacy.

Limit your visits to the pharmacy to only one member of your household and limit trips to only essential needs. This will make physical distancing easier for everyone.

The College thanks you for your co-operation and patience with the temporary 30-day supply measure for prescription refills — we are working so that all Nova Scotians can continue to access the medications they need. We understand that this measure is financially difficult for some Nova Scotians. We are closely monitoring the situation at the national level and look forward to lifting this as soon as it is safe to do so.

As the provincial regulator, the College’s role is to protect the public by regulating pharmacy practice. We do this in a number of ways, including licensing pharmacy practitioners and pharmacies, performing inspections, establishing practice rules, and disciplining when there is professional misconduct. Your health and safety is our top priority.

Throughout the COVID19 pandemic, protecting the public remains the College’s sole focus. By working together, we can better protect each other, our communities and our frontline healthcare providers.