Narcotic counts for British Columbia pharmacies: every 3 months

In British Columbia, the pharmacy manager makes sure each narcotic is counted and reconciled at least every three months. A count is also due:

• after the pharmacy manager changes
• after a break-in or a robbery
• after an identified drug diversion
• when the pharmacy closes

The count must not be done by the person who enters narcotic purchases into the records. The pharmacy manager verifies and signs each count and reconciliation.

College of Pharmacists of British Columbia, PODSA Bylaws s. 23.8(6), (7)(c) and (9), version 2026.1 of April 1, 2026.

In British Columbia, “a minimum of every three months” means the gap between two counts is never more than three months. A count on January 15 makes the next one due by April 15. A fixed rhythm, such as the 15th of January, April, July and October, keeps every gap inside the limit.

Our suggestion, not a rule: count your fastest-moving narcotics more often than that, so a variance turns up while there are fewer transactions behind it.

For other provinces, see inventory frequency in Canada or the guide for each province.

The bylaws ask for a count after each change in the pharmacy’s manager.

Our suggestion: count on the handover day, so the incoming pharmacy manager starts from a number they have checked. The steps are in the handover checklist.

Report any loss or theft of a controlled substance to Health Canada within 10 days of discovering it. That is the federal rule in every province: the Controlled Substances Regulations s. 109(2), in force since October 1, 2026. Investigating does not pause the clock.

In British Columbia, the pharmacy manager also notifies CPBC directly, on a shorter deadline than Health Canada’s (PODSA Bylaws s. 18(2)(t)), then sends CPBC a copy of the Health Canada report (s. 23.8(12)).

To trace a count that does not match, see what to do after a narcotic discrepancy. The report itself, step by step, is on reporting a loss or theft.

Set your pharmacy’s province to British Columbia in Settings and NarcCount schedules a full count every 3 months by default; you can choose to count more often. It also:

• Emails a reminder before each count is due.
• Flags a count as late when it falls behind that schedule.
• Asks for the handover count when you record a new pharmacy manager in Settings.
• Keeps the perpetual inventory from your purchase and dispensing records.
• Keeps an investigation note on every discrepancy line.
• Fills in the Health Canada loss or theft report, and shows CPBC’s own reporting step beside it.

NarcCount assists your reconciliation; it does not replace your professional obligations.