Narcotic counts for Prince Edward Island pharmacies: monthly

In Prince Edward Island, a physical count of narcotic and controlled drugs is done every month, and of targeted drugs at least every six months. A full count is also due:

• whenever the pharmacy manager changes
• after any break-in or theft from the pharmacy
• after any recent change in pharmacy staff

Prince Edward Island College of Pharmacy, Narcotic, Controlled and Targeted Drug Reconciliation Practice Directive, s. 1.1 and s. 1.2, updated February 2020.

The directive says monthly and does not say whether that means a calendar month. NarcCount takes the strict reading: no more than a month between two counts. A count on January 15 makes the next one due by February 15.

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.

PEICP asks for a count whenever the pharmacy manager changes.

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 Prince Edward Island, forward PEICP a copy of the report you sent Health Canada.

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 Prince Edward Island in Settings and NarcCount schedules a full count every month. 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 PEICP’s own reporting step beside it.

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