OCP Annual Report 2001/2002 - Ontario College of Pharmacists

Fitness to Practice Committee
The Fitness to Practise Committee is a statutory
committee. A panel of the Committee is convened upon
referral from the Executive Committee to consider a
member’s capacity to practise pharmacy. (A Board of
Inquiry conducts a health inquiry before any such referral
is made by the Executive Committee.) An incapacity
proceeding is distinct from a disciplinary proceeding in
that it tries to determine whether a member suffers from
an incapacitating mental or physical condition. Examples
of such conditions are alcohol, chemical or other
substance abuse, mental illness and dementia.
Larry Hallok, Chair
Committee Members:
Jim Gay (NCCM)
Stephen Mangos
Malcolm Mansfield
Tracy Wiersema
The panel hearings are not open to the public, nor are its
findings published by the College. However, if there is a
finding of incapacity, terms, limitations or conditions may
be imposed on a member’s Certificate of Registration;
these terms and conditions will be noted on the public
portion of the Register.
Cases
There were two referrals to the Committee this year. An
increase in the number of Boards of Inquiry appointed by
the Executive Committee during this period also makes
it likely that there will be an increase in the number of
referrals being made in the coming year.
Committee panels held two hearings and found incapacity
in both cases. One case was related to
schizoaffective disorder and the other was related to
substance dependence. Appropriate terms and conditions
imposed on the members’ certificates of registration
included continued treatment and aftercare, workplace
monitoring, and reporting to the College of any concerns
on the part of treating physicians and employers. These
components are intended to support the members’
ongoing recovery and to prevent or detect relapse — all
with a view to protecting the public interest.
OCP Annual Report 2001-2002
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