INSIDE: - Ontario College of Pharmacists

O C P CO U N C I L R E P O RT
GUIDELINES FOR
PRESCRIPTIONS
TRANSMITTED TO
PHARMACISTS BY FAX OR
IN DIGITIZED IMAGE FILES
APPROVED
Projects are underway in Canada
that seek to introduce electronic
prescribing (e-prescribing) in
community settings. E-prescribing
systems offer advantages such
as the reduction of medication
discrepancies and errors as well
as an increase in accuracy and
efficiency of data entry. Although
e-prescriptions are currently not
permitted under the federal legislation,
vendors continue to offer
computer-based solutions to prescribers
that provide most of the
advantages of e-prescriptions but
that rely on computer-generated
facsimiles (faxes) or digitized
image files to transmit the prescription
to the pharmacy.
By referring to the guidelines
approved by Council (refer the
website at www.ocpinfo.com),
members can be assured that
best practices regarding authenticity
of prescriber as well as
security of transmission have
been upheld whenever prescriptions
received from such systems
have been dispensed. In addition,
Council was encouraged to note
that discussions with the College
of Physicians and Surgeons of
Ontario indicate support for the
use of technology by physicians
while recognizing the need for
pharmacists and physicians to
work together in order to ensure
the security and confidentiality of
personal health information.
Further clarification for operational
use will be published in
the next issue of Pharmacy Connection.
CLARIFICATION OF
LIBRARY REQUIREMENTS
FOR PHARMACIES
Council endorsed four recommendations
made by the Accreditation
Committee, which will provide
operational guidance with
respect to the library requirements
for pharmacies in Ontario,
in particular, on the use of electronic
and/or web access to the
reference materials. Current
library requirements can be
found on the College’s website at
www.ocpinfo.com
MEETINGS WITH
PHARMACY
ORGANIZATIONS IN THE
UNITED KINGDOM
Registrar Williams and Deputy
Registrar Croteau provided an
extensive overview of their meetings
over the summer with the
Royal Pharmaceutical Society of
Great Britain regarding the regulation
of pharmacy technicians
and the advancing role of the
pharmacist. This was an excellent
exchange of information between
the two regulatory colleagues and
we anticipate a continuing dialogue
as both our organizations
move forward on various initiatives.
CONTROLLED ACTS AND
AUTHORIZING
MECHANISMS
The Federation of Health Regulatory
Colleges of Ontario, in
response to ongoing feedback and
concerns from regulated health
professions and health agencies,
has commissioned a multi-professional
working group to address
professional practice and patient
safety issues arising out of the
use of orders, medical directives
and delegation in health care settings
across Ontario. Ms. Anne
Resnick, Director, Professional
Practice, together with other
panel participants, was a presenter
at a recent Ontario Hospital
Association meeting where draft
guidelines and ready to use tools
and templates were described.
Council noted that the College’s
Task Force on Optimizing the
Pharmacist’s Role is working
towards finalizing a template
respecting medical directives to
be used in the case of an emergency
or pandemic situation.
EXTERNAL ACTIVITIES -
INTERPROFESSIONAL
CARE STEERING
COMMITTEE/PHARMACY
COUNCIL
On a related matter, Registrar
Williams has been invited by Dr.
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Pharmacy Connection January • February 2007