NEWS RELEASE
ONTARIO ASSOCIATION OF CHIEFS OF POLICE
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Toronto, ON – April 10, 2024 – The Ontario College of Pharmacists (OCP), alongside the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP), is pleased to announce that all 4,900+ pharmacies in Ontario have now reported the use of time-delayed safes for securing narcotics such as oxycodone, morphine, and codeine. This marks a significant milestone in helping to curb the risk of pharmacy robberies throughout Ontario.
“This is a critical milestone that should serve as a signal to all would-be thieves that pharmacies are no longer an easy target to steal narcotics and that pharmacies are working closer than ever with local law enforcement to help deter pharmacy robberies,” said James Morrison, OCP Board Chair. “In working with law enforcement, we’ve learned that perpetrators who commit pharmacy robberies rely on getting in and out of a pharmacy quickly. The evidence is clear. When criminals know that narcotics are secured in a time-delayed safe, it serves as a strong deterrent.”
The OCP Board carefully looked at the data from other provinces and determined that the benefits of both time-delayed safes and the associated signage was the most effective deterrent to reduce pharmacy robberies and help protect not only pharmacy staff, but the patients and communities they serve. The province-wide use of time-delayed safes is strongly supported by the OACP, local police departments, the Ontario Pharmacists Association, and various corporate and independent pharmacy partners.
“We are immensely thankful to our policing partners for their steadfast support and dedication to this initiative and the pharmacy profession for working with us to reach this important milestone,” added Mr. Morrison.
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