www.nspharmacy.ca, the official website of the Nova Scotia Pharmacy Regulator (NSPR), provides information about the pharmacy regulator, pharmacist and pharmacy technician registration, pharmacy licensure, and pharmacy practice in our province.

The information on this site is intended as a resource to pharmacy professionals and future pharmacy professionals, and to the public.

Public interpretation of health information on this site should not be substituted for the advice of a healthcare professional. For specific health matters, visitors to this site are encouraged to consult their pharmacist or other appropriate healthcare provider.

Occasionally, alternate websites are referenced on this site. This does not imply an endorsement by NSPR. The Nova Scotia Pharmacy Regulator does not endorse specific organizations, products, or therapies.

Nova Scotia Pharmacy Regulator is located in Mi’kma’ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq People, and we acknowledge them as the past, present, and future caretakers of this land.

We respect and honour the Peace and Friendship Treaties that were signed in this territory, setting the terms of coexistence between settlers and the Mi’kmaq people. These Treaties remain in place today.

We recognize our responsibility to uphold the Treaties in the spirit of Reconciliation and collaboration. We acknowledge the harms that have created and continue to create health inequities for Mi’kmaq People, and we commit to moving forward in partnership.

We are all Treaty People.

We recognize the histories, legacies and contributions of African Nova Scotians, a distinct people with connections to the original 52 land-based Black communities. African Nova Scotians have been a key part of enriching the culture and history of Mi’kma’ki for more than 400 years.

Mi’kma’ki includes all of Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, part of New Brunswick, the Gaspé region of Quebec, part of Maine, and southwestern Newfoundland.

Pharmacy Care Guide

Pharmacy Team Members

Every member of your pharmacy team is accountable for upholding professional standards established by the NSPR. By setting and enforcing these requirements, we ensure your pharmacy team provides safe, competent, and ethical care that you deserve.

In Nova Scotia, pharmacy professionals must adhere to:

  • Legal Requirements: Following all regulations under the Regulated Health Professionals Act (RHPA), as well as legislation about patient confidentiality.
  • Standards of Practice: Meeting the specific Standards of Practice set by the NSPR, which outline how care is to be provided by pharmacy professionals.
  • Code of Ethics: Abiding by ethical conduct established by the NSPR.
  • Operational Rules: Complying with all regulations and standards for practicing in and/or operating a pharmacy. 

When you visit a pharmacy, you may interact with several different people. Here’s a guide to the key roles you might encounter, outlining who they are and what they do.

Pharmacists

Who they are: Pharmacists are highly trained healthcare professionals and medication experts, holding a university degree in pharmacy (Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy or Doctor of Pharmacy). They must pass national exams and be licensed by the NSPR.

What they do:

  • Offer clinical services, such as assessing and prescribing medications for common conditions like UTIs, Strep throat, shingles, or Lyme disease.
  • Administer vaccines to prevent illnesses like the flu and COVID-19, as well as certain travel and routine vaccines (with a permit). 
  • Manage chronic disease drug therapy for conditions like diabetes or asthma.
  • Conduct medication reviews to ensure your medication is optimal.
  • Collaborate with other healthcare providers to manage your overall health.
  • Provide counselling and expert advice on how to use medications correctly, including potential side effects, and interactions.
  • Administer injections like Vitamin B12 and Depo-Provera (with a permit). 
  • Dispense medications accurately and safely.

Pharmacy Technicians

Who they are: Pharmacy technicians are your specialists in drug product preparation and distribution. They are regulated healthcare professionals who have completed an accredited pharmacy technician program or a NSPR recognized bridging program. They must pass national exams and be licensed by the NSPR.

What they do:

  • Complete technical checks on prescriptions.
  • Compound medications.
  • Administer drug therapy by injection (with a permit).
  • Prepare and package prescriptions.
  • Manage pharmacy inventory.

Note: Pharmacy technicians do not answer questions about prescription or non-prescription drug therapy. They will refer you to the pharmacist for these services.

Pharmacy Interns

Who they are: Interns are pharmacy graduates who have completed their university degree and are registered with the NSPR to gain required practical experience under the direction of a licensed pharmacist before becoming fully licensed themselves.

What they do:

Perform pharmacist duties, but always under the direction of a licensed pharmacist as part of their final training requirements.

Pharmacy Students / Candidates

Who they are: These individuals are currently enrolled in accredited university pharmacy programs or pharmacy technician college programs. They are registered with the NSPR to complete practical training placements and assessments in pharmacies as part of their education.

What they do:

Learn and practice pharmacy tasks relevant to their future roles (pharmacist or technician) under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist or pharmacy technician.

Pharmacy Assistants

Who they are: Pharmacy assistants are not regulated healthcare professionals but still work in the pharmacy. They operate under the supervision of a pharmacist and are required to maintain patient confidentiality.

What they do: 

  • process prescriptions
  • book appointments
  • manage pharmacy inventory
  • prepare and package prescriptions

Note: Like pharmacy technicians, assistants do not answer any questions about prescription or non-prescription drug therapy.

Your Prescription

Taking medication is often a key part of managing your health. As your pharmacy regulator, the NSPR requires pharmacies to follow important steps every time you get a prescription filled.

These steps ensure you receive the right medication safely and understand how to use it effectively.

1

Confirming Your Identity: The First Safety Check
To protect your health information and make sure the right medication goes to the right person, the pharmacy team will always confirm your identity.

  • Verification: Be prepared to provide at least two pieces of identifying information (like your name, address, date of birth, or driver’s license).
  • Picking Up for Someone Else: If you’re picking up medication for someone else, the pharmacy needs to verify your identity and their identity.
2

Ensuring Medication Safety: Professional Prescription Review
Before your prescription is prepared, a pharmacist carefully reviews it along with your medication history record kept at the pharmacy. This is a critical safety step to:

  • Confirm the prescriber’s information is accurate and complete.
  • Ensure the medication, strength, and dosage instructions are appropriate for you and your specific health needs.
  • Check for any known allergies you may have to the medication.
  • Identify and prevent potential medication-related problems, such as interactions with other prescription or over-the-counter drugs you’re taking or therapies that unnecessarily duplicate treatment.
3

Understanding Your Medication: Counselling from Your Pharmacist
Once your prescription is ready, the pharmacist has a professional responsibility to discuss the medication with you. This ensures you have the information needed to use it safely and get the best results. You should expect your pharmacist to explain:

  • The name of the medication and what it’s for.
  • Clear directions on how and when to take it.
  • Common side effects and what to do about them.
  • Potential interactions with other medications or food.
  • What beneficial effects to expect and roughly when.
  • What to do if you miss a dose.
  • How to store the medication properly.
  • Information about refills.
  • When you might need to follow up with the pharmacist or your primary healthcare provider.

These steps are part of the standard of care regulated by the NSPR to protect your health. By understanding the process and engaging with your pharmacy team, you play an active role in your own safe and effective medication use.

Your Role in Safe Medication Use

Ask Questions: Your best opportunity to ask anything you’re unsure about is when picking up your medication. Don’t hesitate!

Check Your Medication: Before you leave the pharmacy, take a quick look at your medication. Does it look like what you usually take? If anything seems different or unexpected, ask your pharmacist right away.

1

Changes?
Have any medications been added, stopped, or changed, and why?

2

Continue?
What medications do I need to keep taking, and why?

3

Proper Use?
How do I take my medications, and for how long?

4

Monitor?
How will I know if my medication is working, and what side effects do I watch for?

5

Follow-up?
Do I need any tests and when do I book my next visit?

Care from Your Pharmacist

Your pharmacist is your medication expert and an essential part of the healthcare system who can provide a wide range of healthcare services.

Pharmacists can assess and prescribe to renew your medication.

Pharmacists can complete a  medication review upon request to ensure your medications are giving you the best outcomes. This is ideal if you’re taking multiple medications at once. The pharmacist will review all your medications with you and ensure you know how to take them correctly (co-pay may apply).

Pharmacists can adapt or substitute your medication as needed. This can include changing your medication from a capsule to a liquid, adjusting the dose of your medication, and/or changing how often you take it.

Pharmacists can assess and prescribe for the following conditions:

Pharmacy Health Programs

Bloom Program

A community pharmacy initiative designed to increase and improve mental health and addictions care for Nova Scotians.

Nova Scotia Take Home Naloxone Program

This unique program is completely anonymous and does not require you to present any form of ID. You will NOT be asked for your Nova Scotia Health Card.

Frequently Asked Questions