In January 2021, the College launched practice assessments for Part A pharmacists working in hospital and other healthcare facilities, including family health teams and long-term care. This article below answers some common questions the College receives about these assessments. Why Are Practice Assessments Necessary? Practice assessments are a part of the College’s Quality Assurance Program and are an evaluation of a registrant’s ability to practice to the standards of the profession. The transition to assessments…
In 2022, the College will introduce knowledge assessments for pharmacists as part of the QA Program that already includes learning portfolio, self-assessment and practice assessment components. A knowledge assessment quality assurance activity for pharmacy technicians will be developed in subsequent years. The Role of the Knowledge Assessment The knowledge assessment for pharmacists will focus on ethics, professionalism, patient care and knowledge and research translation. It provides an opportunity to assess knowledge of changing legislation, scope…
Ian Stewart, B.Sc.Phm., R.Ph. During the current pandemic, a large number of physicians are providing virtual healthcare. As a result, a larger number of prescriptions are being faxed into pharmacies for processing. The lack of key patient identifiers on many faxed prescriptions along with a patient not being present when the prescription is being entered into the computer can be contributing factors to patient identity errors. CASE: Rx1:Patient: “Jane Andersen”Drug: Zopiclone 7.5mgSig: One at bedtime…
A Changing Landscape Beth Sproule, RPh, BScPhm, PharmD 1,2Maria Zhang, RPh, BScPhm, PharmD, MSc 1,21 Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario2 Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto Opioid-related mortality continues to increase significantly in Ontario. In 2020 alone, there were 2,426 opioid-related deaths in our province, representing a 60% rise from 2019.1 The illicit fentanyl supply is a key driver of the current opioid crisis as it directly contributed to 87%…
To support pharmacies in their implementation of the NAPRA Model Standards for Pharmacy Compounding of Non-Sterile Preparations, Pharmacy Connection asked the College operations advisors to each name one piece of advice they would give to registrants. Read the standards and resources Read both the Model Standards and the companion guidance document for Pharmacy Compounding of Non-Sterile Preparations, in their entirety. Review the Pharmacy Connection articles addressing requirements, common questions and additional resources to support implementation. Resources Model Standards…
Practice Insight explores concerns reported to the College as part of the complaints and reports process that present learning opportunities for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. This close up on a complaint highlighted below reminds Designated Managers of their responsibilities, including for staff training and oversight, policies and procedures, and management of medication incidents. A Missed Medication Refill Results in Patient Harm A patient telephoned the pharmacy to request a refill of anti-epileptic medication and was…
Note: The College thanks the Alberta College of Pharmacy for permission to adapt their Critical Reflective Pathway series for this article. Pharmacy professionals who are considering undertaking new activities, services or areas of expertise within their scope of practice should complete critical self-reflection before deciding how to proceed. This reflection includes identifying their motivations, deciding whether they need additional information, skills or expertise, planning for next steps, and considering risks related to the situation. It’s…
Decisions of the Discipline Committee between March and May 2021. Imelda Castillo (OCP #612932) Following a hearing held on March 2, 3, 4, and 6, 2020, a Panel of the Discipline Committee made findings of professional misconduct against Imelda Castillo in a decision dated August 20, 2020, in that she: READ MORE Failed to maintain the professional boundaries of the pharmacist-patient relationship when she developed and engaged in a non-professional, personal relationship with the patient,…
By: Tracy Gallina, R.Ph., Clinical Director, HealthPRO Procurement Services Inc. The death of a young child due to a compounding error made by a pharmacy in 2016 is a reminder that although a fundamental part of pharmacy practice, compounding is also a high-risk process. The National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities (NAPRA) Model Standards for Pharmacy Compounding of Non-Sterile Preparations include verifying the identity of all ingredients as an important step before preparing a compound,…
Part of the College’s commitment to protecting the public is helping to ensure that pharmacy professionals maintain appropriate skills and knowledge throughout their career. The Quality Assurance (QA) Program assures the public that pharmacists and pharmacy technicians are practicing to the standards of the profession, and are engaged in safe and quality care. Through the QA Program, the College has a dual mandate: For those registrants who are not meeting standards, to identify their gaps…
