Author: Steve Bronstein

Proposed Publicly Funded Adult Vaccines Categorized as Schedule II

As the Ministry of Health explores the expansion of publicly funded vaccine availability, the College confirms that the following vaccines meet the criteria to be categorized as Schedule II in the NAPRA National Drug Schedules (NDS) in Ontario:  Tetanus vaccines Diphtheria vaccines Pertussis vaccines Pneumococcal vaccines Non-live recombinant herpes zoster (Shingles) vaccines Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccines (changed from Schedule I) The RSV vaccine is now part of a routine immunization program in most provinces and…

OCP Welcomes New Registrar and CEO

The Ontario College of Pharmacists is pleased to welcome Jay O’Neill as he officially assumes the role of OCP’s new Registrar and Chief Executive Officer. “I’m honoured to be part of a team of talented and passionate staff who are dedicated to OCP’s legislated public-interest mandate,” says Jay. “Over the coming weeks and months, I plan to connect, listen and learn from the broader OCP community and stakeholders as we look ahead to a busy…

OCP Board accepts governance review report, commits to next steps

At its September 15, 2025, meeting, the Board was presented with the final report of a governance review conducted by the Institute on Governance (IOG), an independent third-party governance consultant. IOG was commissioned last year to consider the relationship between the College’s Board of Directors and the College’s Registrar and CEO from a legislative and best practices perspective, and to include recommendations that will inform and enhance the Board in its duty to manage and…

Upcoming consultation on draft regulation changes to enable expanded scope of practice

The Ministry of Health has announced a series of proposed changes that would expand scopes of practice for a number of healthcare professionals. As part of these changes, the Minister asked the College to draft enabling regulations that would: authorize pharmacists to assess and prescribe for 14 additional minor ailments including: sore throat (acute pharyngitis) calluses and corns headache (mild) shingles (herpes zoster) acute insomnia fungal nail infections (onychomycosis) swimmers’ ear (otitis externa) head lice…

OCP Board appoints accomplished regulatory and governance leader Jay O’Neill as Registrar and CEO

TORONTO, ON, September 11, 2025 – After a comprehensive search for a talented and experienced leader with the expertise needed to advance the public-interest mandate of Canada’s largest pharmacy regulator, the Board of the Ontario College of Pharmacists (OCP) is pleased to announce the appointment of Jay O’Neill as Registrar and CEO, effective November 17, 2025. “The Board was unanimous in its decision to appoint Jay as Registrar and CEO, someone who brings unmatched qualifications…

College Submits Feedback on Government’s Preferred Provider Network (PPN) Proposals

The Ontario College of Pharmacists has submitted its response to the Ministry of Finance’s latest consultation on regulating Preferred Provider Networks (PPNs), which closed on July 28, 2025. This marks the second consultation in the past year, and further engagement is expected. As Ontario’s pharmacy regulator, the College plays a key role in advising government on how proposed changes to PPNs could affect pharmacy patients. Our response highlights long-standing concerns about restrictive PPN arrangements and…

Discrimination Has No Place in Pharmacy Practice

Patients should expect pharmacy care that is respectful, inclusive, accessible, and free from discrimination. Discrimination—whether based on race, ethnicity, gender identity, disability, religion, sexual orientation, or any other protected ground—is not only unethical, it is a violation of human rights. The College’s Human Rights Policy sets clear, binding expectations: pharmacy services must be delivered without discrimination, in full compliance with provincial and federal human rights laws. These obligations apply to all pharmacists and pharmacy technicians.…

Apply Now for Board Election

Applications are now being accepted for candidates interested in running for election to the College’s Board of Directors for the 2025-26 year. There are two available seats for pharmacists, and one for a pharmacy technician. As a competency-based Board, ideal candidates will include those with competency in financial oversight and who reflect diverse populations, marginalized groups and individuals with disabilities, or those with experience working with these groups. Those applying for vacant positions should have…

Policy Refresh Making it Easier for Registrants to Understand College Expectations

To make it easier for registrants to know and understand College expectations for the practice of pharmacy, the provision of patient care, and the operation of pharmacies, OCP is undertaking a policy refresh that will streamline its various policy tools. The work is part of OCP’s Strategic Goal #2, to effectively provide members of the public, registrants and other partners with clear, relevant, up-to-date information. This policy refresh will consolidate several types of policy-related resources…

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