By Richard SteineckeCounsel, Steinecke Maciura LeBlanc Supervision requires the application of sound professional judgment to various circumstances and can be taken on by pharmacy professionals who are not the Designated Manager. Here are six things to consider when supervising pharmacy practice, including in drug preparation premises: READ TEXT ONLY VERSION OF THE ABOVE GRAPHIC Six Things to Consider When Supervising Pharmacy Practice.1. Your practice setting2. Your status and position within the practice setting3. Status and…
In recent months, the College has received several complaints and reports related to medication incidents involving community pharmacies providing Methadone Maintenance Treatment (MMT). Many of these incidents involved a ten-fold increase in the dispensed dose compared to the intended prescribed dose. This is a significant risk to patient safety, with a high potential to cause harm due to overdose. Upon analysis of these reports, some similar themes have been identified as potentially contributing to these…
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 example reminds registrants of their duty to only access personal health information that they are entitled to as part of the patient’s circle of care. Patient Records Were Inappropriately Accessed A hospital reported that a pharmacy technician had inappropriately accessed the personal health information of patients who were not…
As a pharmacy technician you are an integral part of the pharmacy team. Here's a couple things that you can do to support safer and more effective patient care in your practice. Understand Your Expanded Scope Regulatory changes have enabled pharmacy technicians to provide COVID-19 and influenza vaccinations and to administer specific point-of-care tests. Know the requirements for providing COVID and influenza vaccinationsPharmacy technicians are permitted to administer the COVID-19 vaccine to all age groups…
By Richard Steinecke,Counsel, Steinecke Maciura LeBlanc The Regulated Health Professionals Act, 1991 names 14 controlled acts that may only be performed by an authorized regulated health professional. That said, any controlled act can be delegated by a regulated health professional who has the authority to do so to someone who is not authorized, as long as delegation is consistent with College policies. Pharmacists may consider delegating the performance of a controlled act where it is…
Ian Stewart, B.Sc.Phm., R.Ph. Many drug products are available in various salt forms. Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians must be aware that the salt form of a drug can impact its dissolution, absorption, onset of action and consequently its therapeutic effect. Therefore, it is critically important that the correct salt form of a drug is used when preparing prescriptions, including compounded medications. Case: A patient presented a prescription for Buscopan® (hyoscine butylbromide) suppositories at a community…
The theme of the 2022 Canadian Patient Safety Week was “Press play on safety conversations.” These safety conversations are intended to be part of building a culture focused on patient safety, especially for patients who are older adults. In 2016, 1 in 143 Canadian seniors was hospitalized due to harmful effects of their medication[1]. Adverse drug events also account for one in nine emergency room visits.[2] In the pharmacy environment, one critical tool to reduce…
Decisions of the Discipline Committee between July 2022 and October 2022. Lin Yong (OCP #217337) At a hearing on July 18, 2022, a Panel of the Discipline Committee made findings of professional misconduct against Yong Lin, as the Designated Manager and/or dispensing pharmacist at the Life Compounding Pharmacy in Richmond Hill, Ontario, in the period from about August 10, 2019, to November 22, 2020, in that he: READ MORE Failed to recognize the limits of…
As part of the College’s legislated mandate, patients can file complaints about the conduct or actions of a pharmacist or pharmacy technician. Among other possible actions, the College investigates these complaints in a confidential and impartial manner. The College has identified the top five complaint categories, in order of frequency, brought forward to the Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee in the past few years. Continuous quality improvement is an important part of pharmacy practice that…
Pictured above are Amy Lamb and Dr. Jaris Swidrovich. Photo courtesy of the Canadian Pharmacists Association. The College asked two Indigenous pharmacy leaders to provide their insight on the opportunities for, and commitments from, pharmacy professionals to support Indigenous patients and communities. Through allyship, self-reflection, inclusive and diverse educational opportunities, and community-based collaboration, pharmacists and pharmacy technicians can contribute to the path to reconciliation. Dr. Jaris Swidrovich he/him/they/them) is a Two Spirit Saulteaux First Nations…
