PEBC Part I (MCQ) · Competency 5 Professionalism (about 12%)

Canadian Pharmacy Law & Regulation

Law items test federal drug law (Food and Drugs Act, CDSA and its regulations, Cannabis Act, Vanessa's Law), NAPRA schedules, privacy, scope of practice and record-keeping. Provincial rules vary, so PEBC items usually turn on federal law or widely shared standards.

5 Professionalism2 min read6 sections

Checked against the Narcotic Control Regulations (C.R.C., c. 1041) ss. 2, 31, 38, 42-43; Food and Drug Regulations Part G and C.01.044; Benzodiazepines and Other Targeted Substances Regulations; NAPRA National Drug Schedules; PIPEDA; Criminal Code s. 241.2; laws-lois.justice.gc.ca, checked 13 Oct 2026. Not affiliated with or endorsed by The Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC).

Must-know for the exam

Report narcotic loss or theft to Health Canada within 10 days of discovery (NCR s. 42).
Keep narcotic records at least 2 years (NCR s. 38).
Verbal prescription narcotics: one narcotic plus 2+ non-narcotic ingredients, excluding oxycodone, hydrocodone, methadone, pentazocine, heroin.
Narcotics cannot be refilled; part-fills may follow the prescriber's directions.
Controlled drugs, including Part I (methylphenidate, amphetamines), may be prescribed verbally (FDR G.03.002, checked 13 Oct 2026); Part I refills must be directed in writing (G.03.006).
Benzodiazepines may be refilled if authorised; report their loss within 10 days.
NAPRA Schedule II: no public access, pharmacist intervention; Schedule III: pharmacy self-selection area.
The Prescription Drug List replaced Schedule F; naloxone for emergency use is not on it.
Hospitals must report serious ADRs (Vanessa's Law, since 2019); community reporting is voluntary via Canada Vigilance.
Rx drug advertising to the public is limited to name, price and quantity (FDR C.01.044).

On this page · 6 sections

Traps that cost marks

Thinking only large losses, or only provincial reports, are required.
Confusing the federal minimum with longer provincial record periods.
Assuming any combination narcotic can be taken verbally.
Confusing part-fills with refills for narcotics.
Mixing up the Schedule II and Schedule III conditions of sale.
Thinking a barcode or lot number indicates Health Canada authorisation.
Applying the outdated rule that Part I controlled drugs need a written prescription.
Confusing federal labelling duties with good-practice measures.

How this is tested on Part I

Questions describe a dispensing or practice situation and ask what the law requires; read carefully for the drug's legal class.

Controlled substances

Class	Verbal Rx	Refills
Narcotic (e.g., oxycodone)	No (except verbal prescription narcotics)	No; part-fills only
Controlled drug Part I (e.g., methylphenidate)	Yes (FDR G.03.002); some provinces add rules	Only if directed in writing (G.03.006)
Targeted substance (e.g., lorazepam)	Yes	Yes, if authorised

Forged or altered prescriptions are not dispensed; document and report as provincial and police rules require.

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Educational practice material for exam preparation only. Not medical advice and not a substitute for current product monographs, clinical guidelines or professional judgement. Questions have not yet been reviewed by a licensed pharmacist.