Canadian Pharmacists Association warns against stockpiling medication in response to COVID-19

March 4, 2020 (Ottawa): Pharmacists are the most accessible health care providers and have a critical role to play in identifying, reporting, and managing potential cases of COVID-19.  As the first point of contact many Canadians have with our health care system, pharmacists are also playing an important role answering questions and addressing misinformation from concerned patients when it comes to COVID-19.

The Canadian Pharmacists Association (CPhA) wants to ensure that Canadians are prepared and following the recommendations communicated by Health Canada, the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) and local public health authorities.

We encourage Canadians to have common non-prescription medications for cold, fever and allergies on hand. People who require medication on a regular basis should also ensure their prescriptions are up to date. We do not recommend, however, stockpiling medications in large quantities. This is completely unnecessary and could trigger drug shortages.

When there is a disruption in the supply of medications, pharmacists manage their stock carefully to ensure that all their patients can receive a quantity of the medication to meet their immediate needs. Unnecessary stockpiling of medication can create unintended shortages and puts other patients’ health at risk.

If you have any concerns about your medications or if you are sick at home and in need of your medications, call your pharmacist. Many pharmacies offer a delivery service to help patients get their medications when they can’t leave their home.

CPhA is committed to working with Health Canada and PHAC to ensure that pharmacists across Canada have the tools and resources to support their patients as we continue to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak.

For the latest information and updates on COVID-19, visit www.canada.ca/coronavirus  

About the Canadian Pharmacists Association
The Canadian Pharmacists Association (CPhA) is the uniting national voice of pharmacy and the pharmacist profession in Canada. As pharmacists undertake an enhanced role in the delivery of health care services, CPhA ensures that the profession is recognized as a national leader in health care, influencing the policies, programs, budgets and initiatives affecting the profession and the health of Canadians.