Transforming and Supporting Patient Care - Health Professions ...

163Chapter 7 – Professions of Chiropody and PodiatryTHE PRESCRIBING AND USE OF DRUGS INTHE PROFESSION OF CHIROPODY ANDPODIATRYThe College of Chiropodists of Ontario (CCO), the Ontario PodiatricMedicine Association (OPMA) and the Ontario Society of Chiropodists(OSC) made a joint submission to HPRAC requesting that additions be madeto their current controlled acts to enable them to administer substances byinhalation and to dispense drugs for their patients to use in-office and athome. The profession is also requesting an expansion of its currentdesignated drug list and the authority to order laboratory tests.HPRAC’s Central ResponseIn addition to the current review of the prescribing and use of drugs by nonphysicians,the Minister has asked HPRAC to “review issues relating to theregulation of chiropody and podiatry and provide advice as to whether andhow there should be changes to existing legislation regarding these relatedprofessions”. The Minister asked that HPRAC include “an analysis of thecurrent model of foot care in Ontario, issues regarding restricted titles, andwhether the existing limitations on the podiatrist class of members shouldcontinue.”This current review of the prescribing and use of drugs by podiatrists andchiropodists in Ontario will therefore be preliminary to the more extensiveexamination that HPRAC will be undertaking relating to these professions.For this report, HPRAC has assessed the requests made by the professionsfor new authorities relating to drugs, keeping in mind that further revisionsmay be necessary following the outcomes of the upcoming review. It hasalso taken into account that a new drug regulation was approved for theprofession in September 2008, containing authorities for injections,prescriptions and standards of practice, along with drug schedules. 1In this report, HPRAC recommends to the Minister that the professions ofchiropody and podiatry be granted the authority to administer substancesby inhalation, and to dispense drugs with terms, limitations and conditionsplaced on that authority. In addition, HPRAC recommends that one newtherapeutic class of drugs be authorized to the profession.Background on the Professions of Chiropody and Podiatryin OntarioThe ProfessionChiropodists and podiatrists are primary care professionals regulated by1Ontario Regulation 203/94 ss.1-4 (General) made under the Chiropody Act, 1991, S.O. 1991, c. 20.HPRAC Critical Links January 2009