November/December 2009 - Ontario College of Pharmacists

council report
Registration Regulations
Ratified
Following the College’s submission
of its proposed Registration Regulation
to the government for approval
in the fall of 2008, the College was
requested to make the necessary
labour mobility amendments so that
they can be included in the Regulation
as it proceeds through the government’s
approval process this fall.
Accordingly, changes were made to
various sections of the regulations
(sections 23, 24, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43 and
45) and circulated for feedback. Very
few responses were received and no
significant concerns or issues raised
by any of the respondents. Accordingly,
Council ratified the registration
regulation and directed that it be resubmitted
to the government.
Principles for Remote
Dispensing Approved
College Council discussed and approved
key principles respecting the
practice of remote dispensing (refer to
the OCP website for a complete set
of principles as well as the proposed
standards associated with remote
dispensing), and approved them in
principle for circulation to and consultation
with members and other
stakeholders through fall 2009. Council
noted that while the College has
already held focus groups on this matter,
there will be another opportunity
for consultation through upcoming
district meetings beginning September
22, 2009. The key areas for consideration
include the following:
• A remote dispensing location is
operated through an authorized
accredited pharmacy in Ontario
and all requirements, rules, policies,
laws and standards apply
• A remote dispensing location must
enable, not prohibit or prevent the
pharmacist’s patient care practice
or his/her role in Medication Therapy
Management
• A remote dispensing location must
be safe and secure
• Patient privacy and confidentiality
must be maintained
• Remote dispensing locations must
protect against drug diversion and
sub-standard products
The membership is invited
to provide written comments
regarding these principles by
Monday, November 2, 2009 to
aresnick@ocpinfo.com in order to
be considered by Council at its
December meeting.
Following this process and subsequent
to the passing of Bill 179, the
drafting of appropriate regulations to
the Drug and Pharmacies Regulation
Act will begin. These draft regulations
will then be circulated to the
membership and stakeholders prior to
ratification by Council in 2010. Both
the legislative change and approval of
the regulations by the Ontario government
must occur before remote
dispensing to the public of Ontario
can take place.
Model Standards of Practice
for Canadian Pharmacists
Adopted by Council
The Professional Practice Committee
of the College was directed
to review the Model Standards
of Practice for Canadian Pharmacists
as developed by the National
Association of Pharmacy Regulatory
Authorities (NAPRA) in
March 2009. The committee considered
the history of standards
development in Ontario and the
desirability of a national, externally
produced set of standards
which are applicable to the different
settings in which pharmacists
practice. Council agreed that not
all pharmacists perform each of
the roles described in the Model
Standards, but that when they do,
regardless of setting, the expectation
of care associated with the
role will be consistent. Accordingly,
Council agreed to adopt
the Draft Standards, and further
noted that they will be included
on the agenda of the upcoming
district meetings for member
consultation.
Council also noted that the Professional
Practice Committee has
undertaken to consider details of
any specific differences between
this document and the existing OCP
Standards of Practice for inclusion in
future updated policies or guidelines
for the purpose of member clarity.
Proposed Structured
Practical Training (SPT)
Program for Pharmacy
Technicians Approved by
Council
Council approved the proposed SPT
Program for Pharmacy Technicians
for the purpose of pilot testing in
fall 2009. The primary objective of
the SPT program is to provide an
opportunity for new graduates to
assimilate and apply their learning
in the work environment and to
10 pharmacyconnection • November/December 2009