All registrants engaged in the practice of the profession—Part A pharmacists, Part A pharmacy technicians, interns, intern technicians, pharmacists (emergency assignment) and pharmacy technicians (emergency assignment)—are required to maintain personal professional liability insurance (PPLI) coverage as specified in the OCP By-Law.
Understanding Personal Professional Liability Insurance
Personal professional liability insurance provides protection for both the public and pharmacy professionals by ensuring reliable coverage across all professional activities, including those outside formal practice settings.
It protects the public by ensuring that patients who are harmed due to a negligent act by a pharmacy professional have access to compensation for damages, if warranted.
Because this insurance is issued in the name of the pharmacy professional, the coverage is portable and follows pharmacy professionals wherever they practice within Ontario. It also applies beyond the workplace, covering advice pharmacy professionals give in informal situations, such as to a neighbour or at a social event.
Corporate liability insurance is not the same as personal professional liability insurance. Corporate policies provided through an employer usually include a shared coverage limit for the entire organization and its employees, so pharmacy professionals cannot be certain how much coverage would be available for their individual claim. It may also only apply to services provided within a pharmacy professional’s role at that organization and may not reflect the full scope of professional practice. In addition, corporate liability insurance does not meet the minimum requirements of the OCP By-Law, which requires coverage of $2 million per claim and $4 million in annual aggregate in the name of the pharmacy professional.
Insurance Policy Requirements
The insurance policy must have a minimum of $2,000,000 per claim or per occurrence and $4,000,000 in the annual aggregate.
The insured services covered by the policy must include all professional services in the practice of the profession as regulated by the College.
Please see the OCP By-Law for further requirements.
Confirmation or Proof of Coverage
When applying to register with the Ontario College of Pharmacists, applicants (except for Part B applicants) must complete a declaration confirming that they have obtained and will maintain PPLI while registered with the College. Applicants are not required to submit a copy of their PPLI policy unless directed by the College.
During annual renewal (late January to March 10), Part A pharmacists and Part A pharmacy technicians must confirm that they have maintained their PPLI coverage. Interns, intern technicians and emergency assignment registrants do not complete the annual renewal process; they must ensure their PPLI coverage remains valid while they are registered with the College.
The College may request proof of PPLI and a copy of the registrant’s PPLI policy at any time.