Pharmacy robberies are down across Ontario in 2024 after implementation of time-delayed safes

Pharmacy robberies in Ontario have declined for the first time in over three years, potentially in part because of new deterrence policies adopted by the Ontario College of Pharmacists (OCP).Last week, Peel Regional Police reported that pharmacy robberies have dropped by 77 % in 2024 compared to the same time last year. Toronto Police Services also reported a similar decrease in pharmacy robberies in April.The OCP attributed this decline to a recent province-wide mandate requiring all community pharmacies to store controlled narcotics like oxycodone and fentanyl in time-delayed safes.Time-delayed safes are secure storage units with electronic timers that restrict access to its contents until after a preset time has passed. While wait times may vary, time-delayed safes in Ontario are required to have a five-minute minimum delay.The OCP’s board of directors first approved an amendment to the College's bylaws mandating the use of time-delayed safes back in March 2023. The amendment also required community pharmacies to post signs at public entrances and dispensary areas indicating that time-delayed safes were in use.According to the OCP, time-delayed safes help to prevent pharmacy robberies by reducing the appeal of pharmacies as easy targets to potential robbers. As pharmacy robberies rely on fast and easy access to narcotics, additional time delays effectively reduces the likelihood of a successful robbery attempt.Time-delayed safe mandates have been an effective deterrent strategy against pharmacy robberies in medical jurisdictions across Canada. Pharmacy robberies in Calgary dropped by 80% after time-delayed safes were introduced to Alberta in 2022. British Columbia also saw a 94% decline in pharmacy robberies following the implementation of safety regulations which included a time-delayed safe mandate back in 2015.Pharmacy robberies have also been identified as a significant factor behind the rise of opioid related harms in Ontario over the past decade. According to data from Public Health Ontario, opioid-related causes were responsible for over 2,800 deaths in the province during 2021. By restricting opioid supply within the black market, time-delayed safes are an integral part of law enforcement efforts to address the opioid crisis in Canada.Given the effectiveness of time-delayed safe mandates at combating pharmacy robberies, the OCP is continuing to offer support for all registrants to implement and abide by the new mandate. The OCP has published a list of educational resources on time-delayed safes and its broader Pharmacy Safety Initiative for pharmacy staff and the general public on its website.

Pharmacy robberies are down across Ontario in 2024 after implementation of time-delayed safes

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