pharmacy technician - Ontario College of Pharmacists

DPRA
NEW REGULATIONS
CHANGE LAWS
GOVERNING
PHARMACIES IN
ONTARIO
The passing of the new regulations to the Drug and Pharmacies
Regulation Act (DPRA) into law this past March signifies important and
exciting changes for pharmacy. OCP has long recognized the need
for the DPRA to be updated to reflect modern practice within the
College’s mandate of public protection and the changes that were
passed in March allow this to happen while providing for key changes
to the operation of pharmacies in Ontario.
The College is committed to ensuring that all members know and
understand the implications of this new law and assist them in complying
with any new requirements. To this end, in late March, OCP held
webcasts to inform members of the changes to the regulation. More
than 1,500 members logged in to the webcasts and posed a number
of important questions. College staff have researched and responded
to many of these questions and we are pleased to offer them here and
on our website as a reference.
DPRA REGULATIONS ARE NOT EXPANDED
SCOPE LEGISLATION
It is important to note that the new DPRA Regulations affect
pharmacies and not pharmacists, though certain acts performed
by a pharmacist in a pharmacy are included. The new DPRA
Regulations are not the expanded scope legislation. That
draft regulation to the Pharmacy Act (Bill 179) was recently
approved by Council and it will enable an expanded scope of
pharmacy practice; however, this regulation is not yet approved
by government. Once the new regulation is passed, pharmacists
in all practice settings, not just accredited pharmacies, will have
the authority to extend, adapt and initiate prescriptions and the
provisions outlined in the DPRA Regulations, which allow for
prescription refills, will be revoked.
The proposed Pharmacy Act regulation will specify requirements
that must be met in order to practice the expanded scope. At
the appropriate time, OCP will provide more details on those
requirements, including policies and guidelines to assist members
in their practice. Right now, it is unknown when the Pharmacy Act
regulation will be passed by government. In the meantime, under
the authority of the DPRA regulation pharmacists in accredited
pharmacies may refill prescriptions without authorization from a
physician under the specified conditions.
PHARMACY CONNECTION ~ SPRING 2011 ~ PAGE 11