In fall 2024, the College will be transitioning from the Structured Practical Training (SPT) program to the Practice Assessment of Competence at Entry (PACE) model for pharmacy technician applicants. Pharmacy technician applicants who are not already licensed in another Canadian province/territory will be required to successfully complete PACE alongside other College entry-to-practice requirements to register as a pharmacy technician. Here are the top three things to know about PACE for pharmacy technician applicants. It’s an…
Long term care (LTC) is a specialized practice setting for pharmacy professionals. Through regular practice assessments of pharmacists working in LTC, College practice advisors have identified some opportunities for improvement in the processes used to deliver patient care. By highlighting specific and common gaps between observed practice and the requirements of standards and legislation, our goal is to help registrants meet their professional obligations while managing the complex care of their patients. Note: In some…
There has been a sizable increase in the number of drug shortages in Canada. The inability to access the ideal medication can cause significant, and potentially harmful, effects to patients. Drug shortages also present dilemmas for pharmacy professionals and prescribers who are trying to meet the needs of their patients in a challenging practice environment. The following article addresses some common questions the College receives from registrants and the public about how drug shortages can…
Decisions of the Discipline Committee between January 2024 and May 2024. Rana Mimar (OCP #604674) At a hearing on January 8, 2024, a Panel of the Discipline Committee made findings of professional misconduct against Rana Mimar, while engaged in the practice of pharmacy as Designated Manager, and/or dispensing pharmacist at Rexall Pharmacy at 260 St. Paul Avenue in Brantford, Ontario, committed professional misconduct in that she: READ MORE Failed to keep records as required respecting…
By: Ian Stewart, B.Sc.Phm., R.Ph. When processing refill prescriptions, pharmacists must complete a therapeutic check to ensure that the ongoing drug therapy is appropriate. It cannot be assumed that since the patient has taken the medication previously, a therapeutic assessment is unnecessary. The patient profile must be reviewed to identify compliance issues, changes in drug therapy, duplicated therapy, discontinued therapy, etc. All issues identified must be investigated and resolved. This is especially important when dispensing…
Jennifer Wyman, MD, FCFP, DABAM, MPH1Maria Zhang, BScPhm, PharmD, MSc2,3 1Women’s College Hospital, META:PHI2Centre for Addiction and Mental Health3Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto Ontario continues to struggle with an epidemic of deaths related to toxicity of the unregulated drug supply. Recent statistics indicate that up to 85% of drug-related deaths in Canada involve fentanyl or fentanyl analogues from the unregulated supply, often mixed with benzodiazepines and other contaminants. Opioid agonist therapy (OAT)…
In October 2023, the Ontario College of Pharmacists was invited by Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario) to present at the Systemic Treatment Incident Learning Community of Practice quarterly meeting. We provided an overview of the AIMS Program and shared data on events involving oral anti-cancer drugs. This led to a rich discussion on best practices and improvement opportunities to prevent errors. Dispensing oral anti-cancer drugs in a community pharmacy setting comes with an increased risk…
Decisions of the Discipline Committee between October 2023 and January 2024. Maged Guerguis (OCP #622569) At a hearing on October 30, 2023, a Panel of the Discipline Committee made findings of professional misconduct against Maged Guerguis in that: READ MORE Between in or about [Date1] to in or about [Date 2], he failed to maintain the professional boundaries of the pharmacist-patient relationship when he developed and engaged in a non-professional, personal relationship with the patient,…
In March of last year, the OCP Board unanimously approved the mandatory use of time-delayed safes and associated public signage in all community pharmacies. It was a decision reached with input from the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police which represents the province’s local police forces, and based on the experience of other jurisdictions with similar mandates: where such requirements were in place, pharmacy robberies declined. Still, we continue to hear about pharmacy robberies. This…
Infection prevention and control (IPAC) is an important way to prevent or reduce the risk of transmission of infections to healthcare providers and patients. IPAC involves evidence-based practices and procedures that must be applied consistently in healthcare settings. Why Is IPAC Important for Community Pharmacies? Ensure proper sanitary conditions for drug preparation and storage. Support effective and safe administration of substances by injection or inhalation and other pharmacy services (e.g., performing a point-of-care test). Support…
