Pharmacies in Canada are experiencing a digital shift. With virtual consults, online prescription renewals, and cloud-based management platforms, digital health tools play a critical role in modern pharmacy practice. While these tools may help with efficiency and access, they also present risks, particularly in the realm of cybersecurity.
As more of the healthcare industry adopts digital infrastructure, cyberattacks are becoming more frequent and severe. Ransomware continues to impact the healthcare system at an alarming rate, as outlined in the National Cyber Threat Assessment, and pharmacies aren’t immune to it. In reality, they may even be particularly vulnerable. Community pharmacies frequently use systems that exchange sensitive data about providers, insurers and patients, without the same level of security oversight found at larger institutions.
“The speed of adoption has far exceeded the speed of protection,” says Abadir Nasr, a Canadian pharmacist who has worked with digital systems in clinical and operational environments. “Most pharmacies did not start as digital businesses, and as you provide virtual services, take electronic prescriptions or store patient information in the cloud, you are part of the digital health ecosystem, and with that comes real responsibility.”
That responsibility includes understanding the limitations of the tools that are being used. Many pharmacy apps and websites offer convenience and automation, but may lack strict security protocols. Some use outdated encryption methods or store data in jurisdictions without strong privacy laws. These gaps are significant, since pharmacies process extremely sensitive data, including medication histories, diagnostic results, insurance details, and personal health numbers.
Another weak spot is staff training. While pharmacists and technicians are trained in drug safety and patient care, their training rarely includes cybersecurity. Clicking on a suspicious link, misplacing a login credential, and failing to update software are examples of human error that can cause an attack.
“Cybersecurity can seem like a technical issue, but in reality, it’s about people and habits. Even two-factor authentication or knowing how to spot a phishing attack can be huge. But that kind of consciousness isn’t automatic; it has to be built into how we work,” says Nasr.
The growth of telepharmacy has only added to the confusion. Virtual consults, remote renewals, and home delivery systems are all dependent on third-party software tools. Although these tools make access to care easier, they also open additional channels for a cyberattack. A single security gap in a vendor’s platform could expose thousands of patient records.
Some experts point to the fragmented nature of regulation as the root of the problem. In Canada, the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) establishes a minimum level of data privacy, but enforcement is limited and varies by province. Pharmacies are left to interpret broad rules and evaluate the security claims of software companies without a standardized framework.
Nasr says that while regulation is key, real protection begins with internal culture. “You don’t need to be a tech expert to ask the right questions. Is this system secure? Who has access to the data? What if there’s a hack? If those aren’t the questions being asked when a new digital tool is introduced, you’re already behind.”
He also emphasizes the need for planning. Waiting for a breach to occur before putting safeguards in place can be costly, both financially and in terms of reputation. Pharmacies operate on trust, and a loss of patient confidence can be hard to get back.
The market demand for cybersecurity tools in health care is on the rise. Analysts expect healthcare-focused security products to experience strong demand in Canada over the next five years. But access alone is only part of the solution. Spontaneous adoption without training, assessment, and governance can do more harm than good.
Pharmacies are also assuming more expanded roles in chronic disease management, vaccinations and virtual care, and the data they gather will become increasingly valuable. That value, unfortunately, also makes them more desirable targets. Safeguarding patient data is an essential aspect of delivering care in a connected world.
“Technology is changing the definition of a pharmacist,” Nasr says. “We have better information and can give more individualized care. But with that, there is a new form of responsibility to our patients, our systems, and the data we rely on.”
