Switching pharmacies sounds like it should be complicated — old records, phone tag between two stores, maybe a form to sign in person. In reality, transferring a prescription is one of the fastest, most routine things a pharmacy does. Once you have the right information ready, most patients spend less time transferring a prescription than they do waiting in a checkout line.
This guide walks through exactly what you need before you start, how the transfer actually works behind the scenes, and how to transfer your prescriptions to Markland Wood Pharmacy without a single trip to your old pharmacy.
Why Would You Transfer a Prescription in the First Place?
People switch pharmacies for all kinds of ordinary reasons: they’ve moved to a new neighbourhood, their old pharmacy’s hours don’t fit their schedule anymore, they want a pharmacy with delivery or compliance packaging, or they simply want a team that knows them by name. None of these reasons require any explanation to your old pharmacy — you’re not “breaking up” with a provider, you’re just moving your prescription file somewhere more convenient. The process was specifically designed by the Ontario College of Pharmacists to make this easy and routine.
Is It Really Possible to Transfer a Prescription in Under 5 Minutes?
For you, yes. The five minutes refers to the part you’re actually involved in: providing your basic information and your old pharmacy’s details, either online, by phone, or in person. The verification work that happens afterward — the new pharmacy contacting your old one, confirming your prescription history, and reviewing your medication profile — is handled entirely by the pharmacy team, not by you. That’s the part that takes a little longer (typically one to three business days), but it doesn’t require any further effort on your end once you’ve submitted the request.
What Information Do You Need Before You Start?
This is the step that actually determines whether your transfer takes five minutes or twenty. Having the following ready before you contact Markland Wood Pharmacy means the request can be submitted in one go, with no follow-up calls needed:
- Your full name, date of birth, and address
- The name and phone number of your current (old) pharmacy
- The names of the medications you want transferred — the exact name on the bottle is ideal, but even a general description helps
- Your Ontario health card number, if you have one
- Any known drug allergies
- Your preferred contact number, in case the pharmacy needs to reach you
You don’t need your old pharmacy’s permission, a doctor’s referral, or a printed copy of your prescription. The new pharmacy handles the rest.
How Do You Transfer a Prescription to Markland Wood Pharmacy?
There are three ways to start a transfer, and all of them work equally well:
- Online — Markland Wood Pharmacy has a transfer request form on its website. Fill in your details and your current pharmacy’s information, and the request goes directly to the pharmacy team.
- By phone — Call 416-621-2000 and ask to transfer a prescription. A team member will take your information over the phone.
- In person — Stop by the pharmacy at Markland Woods Plaza on Bloor Street West and speak with the team directly.
Whichever method you choose, you’re simply handing off the “which pharmacy has my prescription” information — the actual coordination between pharmacies happens on their end.
Can You Transfer a Prescription Online, or Do You Have to Call?
You can absolutely do it online. Markland Wood Pharmacy’s website includes a dedicated transfer form specifically so patients can start the process without picking up the phone. This tends to be the fastest option for anyone transferring outside business hours, since you can submit your information any time and the pharmacy team follows up the next business day.
What Happens After You Submit a Transfer Request?
Once your request is received, here’s the typical sequence:
- The pharmacy opens a patient file for you (or updates your existing one).
- A pharmacy team member contacts your previous pharmacy directly to request your prescription and refill history.
- The pharmacist reviews your full medication profile — checking for interactions, duplications, and any details that need clarifying — before finalizing the transfer.
- You may receive a call to confirm details or answer a quick health question, particularly if this is your first time at the pharmacy.
- Once everything is verified, your prescription is prepared and ready for pickup or delivery.
This is a human-reviewed process, not just a data transfer — the pharmacist review step exists specifically to catch anything that needs a second look before your medication is dispensed.
How Long Does a Prescription Transfer Actually Take?
Most prescription transfers are completed within one to three business days, depending on how quickly your previous pharmacy responds and how many medications are being transferred. Same-day transfers are often possible for a single, straightforward medication, especially if you submit your request earlier in the day. Multiple medications, or a previous pharmacy that’s slow to respond, can push things closer to the three-day mark.
Can Every Medication Be Transferred?
Almost all standard prescriptions can be transferred — but there’s one meaningful exception worth knowing about. Controlled substances, such as certain narcotics and benzodiazepines (medications like lorazepam, for example), fall under stricter federal rules. If you still have valid refills remaining on a controlled substance prescription, a pharmacist can transfer and fill what’s left. However, a pharmacist cannot create new refills for a controlled substance out of thin air — once those refills run out, you’ll need your prescriber to issue a new prescription. This isn’t a Markland Wood policy; it’s a rule that applies at every pharmacy in Ontario.
Does Transferring a Prescription Cost Anything?
No. Transferring a prescription from one pharmacy to another does not carry a separate fee. You’ll pay the usual dispensing fee and medication cost when your prescription is filled — the same as you would anywhere — but the transfer itself isn’t billed as an extra service.
Do You Need to Contact Your Old Pharmacy Yourself?
No — and this is one of the most common misconceptions about the process. You never need to call, email, or visit your previous pharmacy to authorize a transfer. The receiving pharmacy (in this case, Markland Wood) handles that outreach directly, pharmacy-to-pharmacy. Your only job is to give the new pharmacy enough information to know where to look.
What Should You Do If You’re Almost Out of Medication?
If you’re down to your last few days of medication, mention that clearly when you submit your transfer request. Most pharmacies, including Markland Wood, can prioritize urgent transfers, and a pharmacist can often provide an emergency supply to bridge the gap while the full transfer is finalized. As a general rule of thumb, it’s best to start a transfer with at least 7 to 10 days of medication remaining so there’s a comfortable buffer even if your old pharmacy takes a day or two to respond.
How to Avoid Delays During a Transfer
A few small habits make transfers go faster:
- Have your old pharmacy’s exact name, location, and phone number ready — not just “the Shoppers on the corner”
- List every medication you take, even ones you’re not planning to fill immediately, so your new pharmacist has your complete profile
- Answer any follow-up call promptly, since a missed callback is the single most common reason a transfer takes longer than expected
- If you’re moving from outside Ontario, be aware that controlled substances generally cannot be transferred across provincial lines — you’ll need a new prescription from a local prescriber for those specific medications
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do I need to tell my old pharmacy I’m switching? No. The pharmacy you’re transferring to contacts your previous pharmacy directly — you don’t need to call, visit, or notify them yourself.
2. How long does a prescription transfer take? Most transfers are completed within one to three business days, though a single straightforward medication can sometimes be ready the same day.
3. Can I transfer my prescription online? Yes. Markland Wood Pharmacy has an online transfer request form, so you can start the process without calling or visiting in person.
4. Is there a fee to transfer a prescription? No, transferring a prescription doesn’t carry a separate fee. You only pay the standard dispensing fee and medication cost when it’s filled.
5. Can all medications be transferred? Most can. Controlled substances like certain narcotics or benzodiazepines can be transferred only if valid refills remain — once those run out, a new prescription from your prescriber is required.
6. What if I’m almost out of my medication? Let the pharmacy know when you submit your request — many pharmacies can prioritize the transfer or provide a short emergency supply to prevent a gap in your treatment.
7. Do I need a doctor’s referral to transfer a prescription? No. A prescription transfer between pharmacies doesn’t require any involvement from your doctor, as long as valid refills remain on the prescription.
8. What information do I need to start a transfer? Your name, date of birth, address, the name and phone number of your current pharmacy, the medications you want transferred, and your Ontario health card number if you have one.
9. Can I transfer a prescription from another province to Ontario? Yes, for most standard medications. Controlled substances typically cannot be transferred across provincial lines and will require a new local prescription.
10. Will I be contacted during the transfer process? Possibly. If it’s your first visit to the new pharmacy, or if the pharmacist needs to clarify a detail, you may get a quick call — answering promptly helps avoid delays.
11. Can I transfer more than one prescription at a time? Yes. You can list every medication you’d like transferred in a single request; the pharmacy will process them together.
12. Where can I transfer my prescription in Etobicoke? Markland Wood Pharmacy, located at Markland Woods Plaza, 4335 Bloor Street West, accepts prescription transfers online, by phone at 416-621-2000, or in person.
Ready to make the switch? Fill out the transfer form on Markland Wood Pharmacy’s website, or call 416-621-2000 — your new prescriptions can be on their way before you’ve finished your coffee.