July • August 2003 - Ontario College of Pharmacists

Q&A
Q A&
Q A
Stephanie Edwards, B.Sc.Phm.
SPT
Diana Spizzirri, B.Sc.Phm.
QDo pharmacy students need to be
registered with the College?
Students must be registered with the College to perform
the “controlled acts” (e.g., dialoguing with patients, taking
telephone prescriptions) while under the direct supervision
of their preceptor or another pharmacist.
This applies to both international pharmacy graduates
doing SPT Studentship and to Canadian/U.S. students
registered in non-credit studentship positions. (Note: There
is no OCP studentship training requirement for students in
accredited Canadian or U.S. faculties of pharmacy, as they
receive experiential training through their existing curricula.)
Furthermore, pharmacy students must identify themselves
as “students” in any situation where they are
performing the controlled acts. All OCP-registered pharmacy
students are assigned an OCP student number and
given an identification card that displays their status.
Interns
Interns must also be registered with the College to legally
perform the controlled acts, first under supervision and
then independently, once the preceptor agrees and a pharmacist
remains present in the pharmacy. Preceptors are
reminded that interns must receive notification from the
College that their SPT Internship has been successfully
completed. Furthermore, they cannot work alone until they
are licensed.
QIf the student must be supervised while
performing the controlled acts, such as
taking a verbal prescription by phone,
how do you suggest this be done?
This question is frequently raised at the preceptor workshops.
The important thing is for you to give your student as
much practice as possible in listening to, and transcribing,
drug names and directions as well as noting people’s names
over the telephone. You may allow the student to take “live”
verbal prescriptions under direct supervision when you
become comfortable with their ability.
Some creative suggestions for providing students with
opportunities to practice taking telephone prescriptions
include:
• Having a technician or pharmacist read prescriptions
from hard copy files and then have the student review
the written prescriptions to self-assess their accuracy
• Asking a physician’s office to fax a copy of the
prescription so the verbal order can be later verified
• Having a physician assist by giving a verbal order to
the student, and repeat and spell the details as
necessary
• Using a telephone system which allows two people to
listen in on the line, have the student identify
him/herself as a student before taking the prescription,
while the pharmacist listens to verify the order.
continued on page 22
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