As part of BC’s COVID-19 Immunization Plan, on March 14, 2021, Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry issued an order allowing a number of health professions, including pharmacy technicians, to work in COVID-19 immunization clinics with appropriate training.
Clinical pharmacists Hans Haag, Charles Au, Amanda Driver, and Ming Chang celebrate Pharmacy Appreciation Month by highlighting the contributions of clinical pharmacists in the Emergency Department at Vancouver General Hospital.
As part of BC’s Covid-19 Immunization Plan, the Provincial Health Officer has issued an order to allow a number of health professions, including pharmacy technicians, to work in COVID-19 immunization clinics with appropriate training.
2020 was an unforgettable year. As I reflect on the toll this virus has taken on our society, our country, and our province, as well as on our personal lives, one thing remains clear: each and every one of us must continue to do our part to help save the lives of those most vulnerable to this virus while we move towards immunization for all British Columbians.
This year, UBC’s Continuing Pharmacy Professional Development (CPPD) celebrates its 32nd annual Update Conference. Due to our current times, the UBC Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences will offer this program virtually.
The virtual CPPD Conference will take place on Saturday, April 17, 2021 and will allow pharmacy professionals and all health care providers to enhance and update their knowledge and skills. In doing so, attendees will be able to improve patient care, medication management, and public safety.
Health Canada is warning health care practitioners and patients that unauthorized health products prepared and sold by Galena Pharm Inc. pharmacy (4315 Canada Way, Burnaby, B.C.) may pose serious health risks. Health care practitioners and patients should stop administering or using them.
On January 27, 2021, the pre-print manuscript of the COLCORONA (colchicine) trial was released. Even though the study has not been officially published in a peer-reviewed journal, the BC COVID-19 Therapeutics Committee (CTC) has conducted an expedited review in order to provide appropriate guidance to prescribing clinicians. Based on these findings, the CTC recommends the following and will make updates as new data become available.
There has been a vast increase in the number and quality of forged prescriptions for controlled substances in pharmacy practice. With the advancements in technology and the increase in computer generated prescriptions, it is essential that registrants remain alert and vigilant in identifying the validity of prescriptions and ensuring that forged prescriptions are not dispensed to the public.
While this guidance applies to all prescriptions, whether narcotic, controlled, or otherwise, recently the College has noticed a large percentage of confirmed forged prescriptions specifically for ADDERALL.
During Black History Month, the College encourages all British Columbians to join us in celebrating the achievements of Black Canadians and appreciating their role in making British Columbia and Canada a more culturally diverse, compassionate and prosperous place to live.
In December 2020, Dr. Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond presented findings from her investigation into anti-indigenous racism within BC’s health care system. The report, entitled In Plain Sight, is based on consultations with almost 9,000 Indigenous peoples and health care workers and finds clear evidence of widespread systemic racism within our province.