Sale of controlled substances
Companies holding a valid controlled substance licence may, depending on the particular substance and the applicable regulatory requirements, sell or provide controlled substances to people authorized to possess them, such as:
- hospitals
- pharmacists
- health care practitioners
- other controlled substance licensed dealers
- holders of a subsection 56(1) exemption for research purposes where the sale by a licensed dealer is contemplated in the exemption itself
Licensed companies cannot sell controlled substances to the public, including over the internet. Only people with a valid prescription may get their prescription medications containing controlled substances from their pharmacist or health care practitioner.
Storefronts or online vendors selling any controlled substances to the public are illegal. They may be providing products that have been purchased illegally. These products may be untested, unregulated and unsafe. The Government of Canada supports law enforcement actions to address illegal storefronts and online distribution and sale of illegal drugs in Canada.
Selling restricted drugs in Canada
Access to restricted drugs is possible through Health Canada's Special Access Program (SAP), but only under certain circumstances.
In order for a licensed dealer to sell a controlled substance under the SAP to a health care practitioner, they must have a letter of authorization (LOA) from Health Canada. Licensed dealers cannot provide or sell restricted drugs to the public or to health care practitioners who are not specified in an LOA.