Transforming and Supporting Patient Care - Health Professions ...

87Chapter 3 - A New Drug Approvals Framework For Ontario• Transparency in the approvals process for patients, providersand health professionals;• Complete documentation of patient health records, includingmedication records, and their availability to the patient andprofessionals who are involved in patient care;• Safe prescribing and continuing competence to prescribe safely;• Professional accountability;• Timely access to care and treatment for patients; and• Enhanced interprofessional collaboration.Taken together, the introduction of a new CHPRE, along with the expertiseof a new DTFC should lead to a significantly improved drug approvalsprocess for health professions in Ontario, balancing the need for patientsafety with the need to ensure patients have access to the most appropriatemedications. These changes place patient-centred care, patient safety andprotection at the forefront of our regulatory system, and will see Ontariocontinue in its role as a leader in regulatory excellence.HPRAC regards a new drug approvals framework and process, along withits recommendations in chapter two for new structures, processes andstandards to raise the bar on health professions’ regulation in Ontario,as critical links to promote regulatory excellence and transform andsupport patient care. To that end, it proposes implementation steps inchapter four of this report.HPRAC Critical Links January 2009