PEBC MCQ Canadian Pharmacy Law & Regulation question: Narcotic Control Regulations

PEBC MCQCanadian Pharmacy Law & Regulation

During the monthly narcotic count, a community pharmacist finds that 60 tablets of hydromorphone 2 mg cannot be accounted for and suspects theft. Under the Narcotic Control Regulations, what must be done?

a. Report it to Health Canada only if the loss exceeds 100 tablets
b. Report the loss or theft to Health Canada within 10 days of discovery
c. Report it to the provincial regulator only, within 30 days
d. Record it in the narcotic register and report it at the yearly inspection

Show the answer and explanation

Answer: b. Report the loss or theft to Health Canada within 10 days of discovery

Section 42 of the Narcotic Control Regulations requires a pharmacist to report any loss or theft of a narcotic to the Minister (Health Canada's Office of Controlled Substances) within 10 days of discovering it, regardless of quantity, and section 43 requires reasonable steps to protect narcotics against loss or theft. Provincial regulators and police may also need to be notified, but they do not replace the federal report. Source: Narcotic Control Regulations (C.R.C., c. 1041), ss. 42-43 (laws-lois.justice.gc.ca, checked 13 Oct 2026); Health Canada, Loss or theft report form for controlled substances (checked 2026).

Common mistake

Thinking only large losses, or only provincial reports, are required.

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