Why are you making changes to the AIMS Program?

In 2024, an evaluation found that engagement with the AIMS Program has remained consistently low, partly due to limited access to reporting by registered pharmacy staff. The evaluation also found that infrequent completion of the pharmacy safety self-assessment and an undefined frequency of continuous quality improvement (CQI) meetings have hindered the full integration of the AIMS Program in pharmacy practice. This level of engagement is not adequate for supporting the long-term sustainability and effectiveness of the College’s mandatory medication safety program.

The changes are informed by national best practices and alignment with NAPRA’s Model Standards of Practice for Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) and Medication Incident Reporting (MIR) by Pharmacy Professionals, and are intended to improve engagement with the AIMS Program, strengthen patient safety, and support the development of a strong safety culture in community pharmacies.

The evolution of the AIMS Program, along with the addition and evolution of medication safety programs in other provinces, demonstrates the value placed on tracking and analyzing medication safety data in the public interest. It emphasizes the important role of pharmacies, regulators and other groups such as ISMP in collecting and sharing data across the country as a way to identify and prevent potential medication incidents from happening.