Author: Steve Bronstein

The next OCP Board meeting is on September 15 and 16. Members of the public who wish to observe the meeting will be able to do so via live stream only. You can access the Board materials, and the link to observe the meeting virtually, online.

Earlier in August, OCP hosted three virtual town halls to update registrants and partners on its progress to respond to corporate pressures concerns raised by pharmacy professionals throughout the province and our related Strategic Goal. Recordings of those sessions are now available. Corporate Pressures Update - August 2024 - Town Hall Session 1 Corporate Pressures Update - August 2024 - Town Hall Session 2 Corporate Pressures Update - August 2024 - Town Hall Session 3…

The College welcomes the Health Minister’s announcement this week that the government is preparing to consult with its partners as it explores further expanding the scope of practice for Ontario’s pharmacy professionals. OCP, which regulates pharmacies, pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in the public interest, is looking forward to working collaboratively with the Ministry as it prepares for and implements its consultation following this important announcement. OCP is also looking forward to making its own submission…

OCP has published its final report on the feedback provided directly from registrants who shared their concerns about corporate pressures in pharmacy that are interfering with their ability to provide the kind of care they want to provide to their patients. Entitled “Under Stress and Duress”, the report analyzes information collected through a survey and series of town halls in March 2024 that led to the establishment of our zero-tolerance position on corporate pressures in…

Sending a strong signal to criminals, time-delayed safes are a proven way to deter crime and reduce pharmacy robberies Toronto, ON – April 10, 2024 – The Ontario College of Pharmacists (OCP), alongside the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP), is pleased to announce that all 4,900+ pharmacies in Ontario have now reported the use of time-delayed safes for securing narcotics such as oxycodone, morphine, and codeine. This marks a significant milestone in helping…

Updated January 5, 2024, for clarification under item #3. The College is aware of Ontario pharmacies offering (advertising, promoting) and/or dispensing compounded semaglutide preparations to patients due to an ongoing shortage of the Health Canada approved manufactured product, semaglutide (Ozempic®). The following guidance focuses on the pharmacist’s obligations to keep patient care and safety at the forefront when dealing with current Ozempic® shortages. 1. Compounding is a high-risk activity to be considered after other options…

Board also approves the subsequent submission of the regulations to the Ministry of Health following consultation At its June 12 meeting, the Board of Directors approved a 60-day public consultation on proposed regulatory amendments that would expand the scope of pharmacy professionals to administer additional vaccines and offer appropriate treatment options for COVID-19 and influenza. These regulatory changes recognize that the Ontario healthcare system continues to see additional pressures that may impact patient access to…

As of July 1, 2023, approved regulatory amendments to O. Reg. 202/94 (General) of the Pharmacy Act, 1991 will authorize Ontario’s Part A pharmacists, registered pharmacy students and interns to administer substances listed in the regulations by injection and inhalation for purposes other than patient demonstration and education. This expansion of scope will enable pharmacy professionals with injection training to better support their patients with the routine injection or inhalation of medications. This will benefit…

As of January 1, 2023, pharmacists in Ontario are authorized to prescribe medications for 13 minor ailments including: Allergic rhinitis Candidal stomatitis (oral thrush) Conjunctivitis (bacterial, allergic and viral) Dermatitis (atopic, eczema, allergic and contact) Dysmenorrhea Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) Hemorrhoids Herpes labialis (cold sores) Impetigo Insect bites and urticaria (hives) Tick bites, post-exposure prophylaxis to prevent Lyme disease Musculoskeletal sprains and strains Urinary tract infections (uncomplicated) Minor ailments are described as health conditions that…