Bronwyn Tolmie,RPh, BScPhm, ACPROwner & Designated Manager,Elora Apothecary Pharmasave As owner and Designated Manager of a community pharmacy and a practicing hospital pharmacist, Bronwyn Tolmie was involved in the implementation of the NAPRA Model Standards for Pharmacy Compounding of Non-Sterile Preparations in both community and hospital settings. The Ontario College of Pharmacists requires all pharmacies engaging in Non-Sterile Compounding activities to comply with the Model Standards for Pharmacy Compounding of Non-Sterile Preparation. To support initial implementation, a phased approach…
Learning from Ontario’s Long-Term Care Homes Public Inquiry In July 2019, the Long-Term Care Homes Public Inquiry released its final report and recommendations. The inquiry was established to examine the events which led to the offences committed by Elizabeth Wettlaufer while working as a registered nurse in long-term care homes within Ontario. The report outlined a total of 91 recommendations, including system-wide opportunities involving regulators, government and other stakeholders to improve the safety and quality…
Decisions of the Discipline Committee between May and July 2019. Shohreh Torabi (OCP #204608) At a hearing on May 2, 2019, a Panel of the Discipline Committee made findings of professional misconduct against Ms. Torabi with respect to the following incidents: READ MORE Between about November 1, 2011 and October 31, 2013, she submitted (or permitted, consented to or approved, expressly or impliedly, the submission of) charges for certain identified drugs and/or products that were…
“Close-Up on Complaints” explores incidents reported to the College that have occurred in the provision of patient care and which present learning opportunities. Ideally, pharmacists and pharmacy technicians will be able to identify areas of potential concern within their own practice, and plan and implement measures to help avoid similar incidents from occurring in the future. Summary of the Incident Following a disagreement in the pharmacy about a non-pharmacy matter with a member of the…
By Meagan Quinlan RPh, BScPhm, BSc, PharmD,Manager, Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre Please note that on March 23, 2020, Council approved an extension to the deadlines for implementation of the non-sterile compounding standards. This change is in recognition of the evolving COVID-19 pandemic situation and the need for pharmacy professional to focus on continuity of care and minimizing public risk. The updated deadline dates are: Phase 2: July 1, 2021 – Personnel Training and Quality…
An 83-year old woman died three months after admission to a Long Term Care Home (LTCH). While the reported cause of death was severe hypothyroidism, it was attributed to complications from hypothyroidism (myxedema coma) due to a medication error. Dementia, hypertension and diabetes were contributing factors. The case was referred to the Geriatric and Long Term Care Review Committee which assisted the Office of the Chief Coroner in the investigation. The Committee’s recommendations are highlighted…
Under Ontario’s Health Protection and Promotions Act, s25 (HPPA), in the course of providing professional services, pharmacists and pharmacy technicians are required to report if they believe a patient may have a disease of public health significance such as measles. Previously called “reportable diseases” (prior to May 1 2018), these include communicable and virulent diseases, and are listed in Ontario Regulation 135/18. The public health system depends upon this information as the basis for preventing the spread of…
By Meagan Quinlan RPh, BScPhm, BSc, PharmD,Manager, Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre The Ontario College of Pharmacists requires all pharmacies engaging in Non-Sterile Compounding activities to comply with the Model Standards for Pharmacy Compounding of Non-Sterile Preparation. To support initial implementation, a phased approach was taken, with the following timelines in place: Phase 1: Assessing Risks and Gaps – January 1, 2020 Phase 2: Personnel Training and Quality Assurance – July 1, 2020 Phase 3: Facilities…
Decisions of the Discipline Committee between February and April 2019. Boules Awad (OCP #604940) At a hearing on February 5 and 6, 2019 a Panel of the Discipline Committee made findings of professional misconduct against Boules Awad with respect to six separate referrals from the Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee, as follows: READ MORE Referral 1 The Panel found that Mr. Awad, from in or about August 2016 to in or about March 2017, while…
By Ian Stewart R.Ph, B.Sc.Phm. Always clarify potentially ambiguous and non-standard abbreviations with the prescriber. The misinterpretation of a prescriber’s intent is a leading cause of medication errors. A common contributing factor is the inappropriate use or misinterpretation of abbreviations in practice. Abbreviations are often used to prescribe medications (e.g. MTX methotrexate), indicate the frequency of dosing (q.i.d. four times daily), etc. However, medical abbreviations may have multiple meanings or can be misinterpreted if poorly…
