Adrian Boucher, RPh, BSc, PharmD 1,2Certina Ho, RPh, BScPhm, MISt, MEd, PhD 1,21 Institute for Safe Medication Practices Canada2 Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto In clinically complex healthcare settings, adverse events and medication errors can occur despite the best intentions of healthcare professionals. Healthcare organizations typically take a structured approach to providing care and supporting patients and their families when an unintended event results in patient harm. However, healthcare practitioners involved in…
Laura Murphy (BScPhm, ACPR, PharmD)Clinical Leader, Department of PharmacyToronto Rehab, University Health Network, Toronto, ONFeng Chang (BScPhm, PharmD)Associate Professor, University of Waterloo, School of Pharmacy Waterloo, ONShelita Dattani (BScPhm, PharmD)Director, Practice Development and Knowledge TranslationCanadian Pharmacists Association, Ottawa, ONBeth Sproule (BScPhm, PharmD)Clinician Scientist, Pharmacy DepartmentCentre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON andLeslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto BACKGROUND Canada is currently experiencing an unprecedented opioid epidemic (1). Widespread use of increasing doses…
By Mark McIntyrePharm.D.,ACPR Antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) remains an important topic in the role of pharmacy professionals in any practice environment and is becoming increasingly so for those in community practice settings. Pharmacy Connection welcomes contributors from the Antimicrobial Stewardship Program team at the Sinai Health System and University Health Network in Toronto to share their insights and perspectives. This is the fourth and final in their series about the role of community pharmacy professionals in…
In this four-part series, the College focuses on each domain of the community pharmacist practice assessment while incorporating trends seen in practice by the College’s community practice advisors (CPAs). This final installment focuses on the Communication and Education domain. STANDARDS OF PRACTICE Communication and Education are critical aspects to delivering optimal patient care and comprise one of the four domains evaluated during a pharmacist practice assessment. Good communication skills, both verbal and written, are essential…
By Ian Stewart R.Ph, B.Sc.Phm. Exercise caution when dispensing combination drug products – especially those available in multiple combination ratios. There has been an increase in the development and utilization of multiple drug combinations over the last two decades. Benefits may include synergy and increased efficacy, the simplification of drug therapy and increased compliance. Such drug combinations are regularly used in the treatment of a variety of medical conditions including HIV (e.g. Truvada®), diabetes (e.g.…
One of the ways the College fulfills its mandate to serve and protect the public is by developing and enforcing pharmacy standards, policies and guidelines and the Code of Ethics, which outline the professional obligations of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. Alongside legislation, these documents create a framework for pharmacy professionals to practice independently, using their knowledge, skills and judgment. The College provides access to Practice Consultants who support registrants in navigating this framework and, ultimately, providing safe and ethical…
Decisions of the Discipline Committee between November 2018 and January 2019. Joy Abanzukwe (OCP #103497) At a hearing on November 21, 2018 a Panel of the Discipline Committee made findings of professional misconduct against Ms. Abanzukwe in that she: READ MORE Failed to appoint a Designated Manager for Remedy’s Rx Brock Medical Pharmacy for the periods between January 9, 2017-April 19, 2017 and/or June 12, 2017-August 11, 2017; Failed to pay costs of $1,000.00 each…
Opioids can be effective medications in the treatment of various conditions. However, opioid use and misuse is on the rise in Ontario, resulting in a serious public health concern. In the province of Ontario from January to October 2017, there were over 1,000 opioid-related deaths, a significant rise from 20161. The College has instituted an Opioid Strategy to address opioid-related issues relevant to pharmacy practice in alignment with its mandate to serve and protect the…
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 A nine-year-old patient had to be taken to a hospital’s emergency department after experiencing an…
This article originally appeared in the Spring 2017 issue of Pharmacy Connection. Ethical issues and dilemmas are a reality of everyday practice. The ability to make sound ethical decisions is a fundamental responsibility of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians as healthcare professionals. Designed to enhance objectivity and consistency, the Framework for Ethical Decision-Making provides a systematic thought-provoking process to guide decision-making and document decisions made in practice that support our commitment to serve and protect our…
