To clarify the College’s expectations for providing pharmacy care to patients located outside of Ontario, the Board approved the Cross-Jurisdictional Pharmacy Services Policy in June 2022. This policy applies to registrants and patients in other Canadian jurisdictions, as well as those located outside of Canada. Ontario pharmacy professionals are increasingly providing care to patients who may not be physically located within the province. This practice is more likely to occur in cities and towns along…
Lesley Graham1,2Sylvia Hyland3Beth Sproule1,2,41 Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario.2 Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario.3 Institute for Safe Medication Practices, Toronto, Canada.4 Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario. Many assume that the short-term use of opioids for acute pain is reasonable and safe. Opioid stewardship activities have primarily focused on opioid use for chronic pain, however recent research has provided a robust evidence-base on the balance between benefits…
This past May, more than 2,700 Part A pharmacists completed the College’s new knowledge assessment. A component of the College’s Quality Assurance Program, knowledge assessments were introduced to assess pharmacists’ ability to apply their clinical knowledge as well as their knowledge of current legislation and ethical obligations to everyday patient care. Complementing other elements of the College’s Quality Assurance Program that contribute to maintaining competency while continuously improving quality at an individual and health-system level,…
Decisions of the Discipline Committee between January 2022 and June 2022. Michael El Raheb (OCP #218741) At a hearing on April 4, 2022, a Panel of the Discipline Committee made findings of professional misconduct against Mr. El Raheb, while engaged in the practice of pharmacy as owner, director, shareholder, and/or dispensing pharmacist at Westboro Pharmasave in Ottawa, Ontario, in that he: READ MORE Submitted (or permitted, consented to, or approved, expressly or by implication, the…
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) principles are important to consider in all of your interactions as a pharmacy professional. The College is committed to developing a formal EDI strategy to support our public interest mandate, further enhance our role as Ontario’s pharmacy regulator and support pharmacy professionals in their ongoing EDI learning. Incorporating EDI as part of your pharmacy practice enhances the delivery of safe, quality pharmacy care, further supports existing expectations under the Code…
Bronwyn Tolmie is the owner of Trailside Pharmacy in Fergus and Elora Apothecary in Elora and has played a key role in implementing the non-sterile compounding standards in her pharmacies. Taking on the role of Compounding Supervisor, Tolmie worked alongside her pharmacy team to successfully implement all phases of the non-sterile compounding standards to keep staff and patients safe. All pharmacies engaging in non-sterile compounding activities are required to comply with NAPRA’s non-sterile compounding standards.…
Compounding sterile preparations is a high-risk activity which requires compliance with comprehensive standards to ensure the overall quality of the preparation and the safety of patients and compounding personnel. College Operations Advisors conduct routine assessments of pharmacies engaged in sterile compounding to evaluate adherence to the standards. These routine assessments also provide an opportunity to share resources and guidance to assist pharmacies in carrying out the required sterile compounding activities, including establishing a pharmacy-specific quality…
Ian Stewart, B.Sc.Phm., R.Ph. Under the NAPRA Model Standards of Practice, pharmacists must assess all prescriptions for therapeutic appropriateness before the medication is dispensed. This assessment must take place for both new and refill prescriptions. The following case highlights the importance of this assessment. Case: Rx: 1234Drug: Valacyclovir 500mgSig: Two tablets twice daily for one dayMitte: Four tablets The above prescription was presented to a pharmacy assistant for processing. The prescription was processed and dispensed…
By the Health Products Stewardship Association, Ontario Medications Return Program Ontario Medications Return Program The proper disposal of unwanted medications protects our communities by preventing misuse and accidental ingestion, and safeguards our environment from contaminated landfills and waterways. Pharmacies are reminded of the below three steps to safely dispose of consumer returned unwanted medications: Only consumer returned medications, such as prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications and natural health products are accepted through the Ontario Medications Return…
All regulated healthcare professionals and regulatory colleges across the province have an obligation to uphold a zero-tolerance philosophy related to the sexual abuse of patients. As regulated healthcare professionals, pharmacists and pharmacy technicians have obligations to maintain appropriate boundaries with their patients and ensure that their behaviour aligns with legislative obligations. To further clarify legislative requirements of registrants, the College has published a Boundary Violations and Sexual Abuse Policy articulating the College’s expectations for abiding…
