News

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…

Voting is now open for the 2025 Board election. The Board of Directors plays a key role in ensuring that standards of practice are maintained through the effective regulation of pharmacy in the public interest. Candidate profiles for the 12 pharmacists and 4 pharmacy technicians running in the election are posted on the OCP website so eligible voters can consider their qualifications and experience before voting. By making an informed choice, you contribute to the College’s…

We’re seeking qualified frontline pharmacy professionals to be Practice Assessment of Competence at Entry (PACE) assessors for pharmacy technician applicants. PACE assessors ensure that applicants meet the College’s practice-based requirements to deliver safe, quality care. Being a PACE assessor is a voluntary role. If you have two or more years of practice experience and are interested in evaluating pharmacy technician applicants’ entry-to-practice readiness, please complete the application form for your primary place of practice: Hospital PACE assessor application…

To protect legitimate patient access to medication containing controlled substances in areas of Ontario affected by wildfires, Health Canada has put temporary measures in place to allow for the movement of controlled substances. The exemption is effective as of June 27, 2025, and expires on December 31, 2025, or until it is revoked or replaced by another exemption. Pharmacists in Ontario who must evacuate their current pharmacy because of wildfires are exempted from subsections 5(1)…

The College is currently recruiting members of the public as Lay Committee Appointees to serve on any of the College’s eight (8) statutory committees and four (4) standing committees. A full list of committees can be found on the College’s Committees web page. Committees – an important part of professional regulation Committees support the work of the Board and contribute towards advancing the College’s mandate to serve and protect the public interest by helping to carry out the…

We are pleased to share a new update on our progress in addressing business pressures in pharmacy in Ontario. The College’s approach to addressing business pressures incorporates elements related to regulatory programs, data collection and reporting, legislation and regulation changes, and engagement and outreach. Read the June 2025 progress update to learn more about our pilot project on operational assessments in pharmacies, how we are planning for 2026 and the new declaration that thousands of pharmacy owners have…

As part of our recruitment process, we are pleased to share the career posting for the Registrar and CEO role at the Ontario College of Pharmacists. Qualified candidates may submit their cover letter and resume in confidence to the link in the posting.

The 2025 survey on business pressures in pharmacy practice in Ontario is now open until June 30. Your responses will help us better understand how business pressures impact your ability to meet the standards of practice, including the Code of Ethics, as well as how they impact your own well-being. All pharmacy professionals are invited to complete this survey, which will take approximately 15 minutes. Your participation in the survey is anonymous. Why we are asking you to complete…

On May 7, CBC published an article regarding the alleged involvement of an Ontario pharmacist in the proliferation of disturbing online material. Ontario’s pharmacy professionals are held to high ethical standards. The generation and distribution of such material by anyone entrusted with caring for communities as a regulated healthcare professional is reprehensible and offensive. The allegations contained in the story are extremely serious, and we are taking immediate steps to look in this matter further…