Check the College of Pharmacists for your province. Each province regulates pharmacies independently.
Provincial Licensing Bodies
- British Columbia: College of Pharmacists of British Columbia Alberta: Alberta College of Pharmacy Saskatchewan: Saskatchewan College of Pharmacy Professionals Manitoba: Manitoba Pharmaceutical Association Ontario: College of Pharmacists of Ontario Quebec: Ordre des pharmaciens du Québec New Brunswick: New Brunswick Association of Pharmacists Nova Scotia: Pharmacy Examining Board of Nova Scotia Prince Edward Island: Prince Edward Island Pharmaceutical Association Newfoundland and Labrador: Newfoundland and Labrador Pharmacy Board
These colleges maintain a public register of licensed pharmacies and pharmacists. You can verify a pharmacy’s license directly through these websites. Look for the license number and expiry date.
Key Information to Verify
Confirm the pharmacy’s physical address is in Canada. Avoid pharmacies operating solely online without a verified physical Canadian location. Check for a valid license number, easily found on the pharmacy website or contact information. Verify the pharmacist’s license through the relevant provincial college. Be wary of exceptionally low prices; these may indicate unregulated or illegal operations.
Additional Tips for Safe Purchasing
- Read online reviews cautiously. Consider using multiple sources. Contact the pharmacy directly with questions before making a purchase. Use secure payment methods. Keep all documentation related to your order and transaction.
Reporting Suspicious Pharmacies
Report any suspected unlicensed or illegal pharmacy activity to your provincial College of Pharmacists. This helps maintain the integrity of the Canadian pharmaceutical system.
