News

When assessing patients seeking treatment for urinary tract infections (UTIs), pharmacists may need to engage in conversations that involve very personal and private matters for the patient.    A new Pharmacy Connection article provides an overview of elements of the College’s Human Rights Policy and Code of Ethics that would apply to minor ailment assessments for a UTI and how they inform the pharmacist’s approach. It also includes practical suggestions for implementation from community pharmacist Rami…

New requirements for the Assurance and Improvement in Medication Safety (AIMS) Program come into effect on January 1, 2027. To help Designated Managers prepare for these changes, a new Designated Manager Checklist for AIMS Program Requirements is now available. The checklist shares the key steps Designated Managers should take in 2026 and 2027 to ensure they are compliant with the updated AIMS Program requirements. Review the checklist here. Data Sharing Agreement Now Available The Data…

The College continues to hear from pharmacy professionals about business pressures that are impacting their ability to deliver patient care that meets the standards of practice and supports their own well-being. Following an initial survey and series of town halls conducted in 2024, the College surveyed registrants in the summer of 2025 to gain additional insights. The analysis of registrant feedback shows that: Nearly two-thirds of pharmacist respondents are still experiencing business pressures. More than…

We’re looking for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians to share how they’ve incorporated medication safety into day-to-day practice and pharmacy operations. From acting after a near miss, to building a culture of medication safety to practical tips on event reporting, your stories and tips can help contribute to safety improvements for all patients. Send an email to [email protected]. Stories and tips may be shared on the College’s communication channels (publication of your full name is optional).

It’s been six months since the launch of OCP’s new website, and we hope you’ve had the opportunity to explore its updated navigation, search functionality, and overall design. As part of our commitment to continuous quality improvement, we are seeking your feedback to better understand your experience with the website. Your input will help us evaluate how well the project has met its goals and identify opportunities for continued improvement. The survey takes less than…

We want to provide an update and some important clarifications regarding scope of practice and the performance of point of care tests. Scope of Practice Update Proposed changes that would expand the scope of practice for pharmacy professionals have not yet come into effect. The College is working with the Ministry of Health to determine an appropriate implementation date, ensuring that the expansion of scope activities can occur safely and that any necessary safeguards are…

Check out the first edition of Pharmacy Technician Digest, a periodic newsletter for current and future pharmacy technicians. Content will include key information and resources from the College that address questions and issues of interest to pharmacy technicians in Ontario. This newsletter does not replace the regular biweekly e-Connect that goes to all registrants. We welcome your feedback as we test this format. Please let us know what you think and share suggestions for future…

The College is seeking a vendor to host and administer the Quality Assurance Knowledge Assessment. Interested parties can review the Request for Proposal posted on OCP’s website. All proposals must be submitted by May 5, 2026, at 5 pm. View the Knowledge Assessment Vendor RFP.

The College is seeking input on proposed learning requirements for specified expanded scope of practice activities, including assessing and prescribing for acute pharyngitis, otitis externa and herpes zoster, and the administration of injectable buprenorphine extended-release (Sublocade®). These proposed scope activities, which have not yet received approval from government, may pose a higher risk to the public if not managed appropriately.Registrants, members of the public, and system partners are invited to share their feedback on this open consultation…