November/December 2008 - Ontario College of Pharmacists

editor’s message
Della Croteau, R.Ph., B.S.P., M.C.Ed.
Deputy Registrar/Director of Professional Development
New Brunswick and Prince
Edward Island have recently
passed legislation allowing
an expanded scope for pharmacists
in those provinces. British Columbia
pharmacists will begin to participate
in medication therapy management as
of January 1, 2009. Alberta pharmacists
have been practising with an expanded
role since April 1, 2008. There
is a growing trend across Canada to
give pharmacists a greater role in adapting,
modifying and extending prescriptions
to contribute to better medication
therapy management outcomes
for Canadians.
Here in Ontario, the government is
considering expanded roles for several
health professionals, including pharmacists.
A review of the scope of practice
for pharmacists was submitted to
government in June. The Health Professions
Regulatory Advisory Committee
is now conducting a review of nonphysician
prescribing and pharmacy has
been included in that review. It is expected
that there will be a further opportunity
for pharmacists to comment
on this submission.
At the same time, the regulation of
pharmacy technicians is on the horizon.
We have had an overwhelming
response to the last OCP certification
examination and to the first bridging
program. All of the pharmacy techni-
There is a growing trend across Canada to give pharmacists
a greater role in adapting, modifying and
extending prescriptions to contribute to better medication
therapy management outcomes for Canadians.
cians who have passed and maintained
their certification with OCP are eligible
to move forward to regulation if they
choose. Details can be found on page
16 and 17.
The synchronicity is incredible! The
College has pursued the regulation of
pharmacy technicians in order to optimize
the knowledge and skills of the
pharmacist and free them up from the
technical duties of dispensing. It appears
that as this new regulated pharmacy
technician steps up to become
more accountable for the technical aspects
of dispensing, that pharmacists
will also be asked to step up and be accountable
for adapting, modifying and
extending prescriptions.
It is the professional responsibility of
pharmacists and pharmacy technicians
to keep their knowledge and skills up to
date, and advancing with the changes
in legislation.
Have you got a learning plan in place
to prepare you for the future? Have
you considered what documentation
will be required with these expanding
roles? Have you discussed in your individual
workplaces what the workflow
might be? Now is the time to have
these discussions as the momentum to
an advanced scope for pharmacists and
pharmacy technicians increases.
pharmacyconnection • November/December 2008
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