I’m proud to be a pharmacy professional in BC. Pharmacy is an honourable profession with noble goals and holds the trust and respect of the public we serve. To be a pharmacist and able to live in a beautiful province like BC is such a treat!
The College is excited to announce the official launch of the Practice Review Program!
Under the Practice Review Program, every pharmacist, pharmacy technician and pharmacy will be reviewed in-person at least once every six years.
The Practice Review Program is comprehensive in scope, and is first launching across all BC community pharmacies. It will expand later to hospital pharmacies and other practice settings.
Pharmacists in Newfoundland and Labrador are now able to administer medication by inhalation and injection, including flu vaccines, as the Provincial Government has signed off on new regulations under the Pharmacy Act.
In order to provide these services under the new regulations of the Pharmacy Act, pharmacists will be required to complete additional training and adhere to standards developed by the Newfoundland and Labrador Pharmacy Board.
The first-ever Canadian Digital Health Week took place on November 10 to 14, 2014.
Canada Health Infoway partnered with over 15 other organizations to launch Digital Health Week. It was captured in a series of announcements, a TweetChat, webinar and different initiatives.
he Department of Medicine at McMaster University has joined with the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences at UBC to create a pharmacist-centred module within the OSCAR Electronic Medical Record.
OSCAR – which stands for Open Source Clinical Application Resource – was created at McMaster University and distributed to community clinicians at no cost. While the software has paid dividends for physicians, it is clear that better patient health outcomes are a result of a collaborative effort across health care professionals, which is why work is underway to create a pharmacist module.
The Quality Forum, an annual event that focuses on improving the quality of health care, returns to Vancouver on February 18-20, 2015. Last year’s event hosted 700 participants and sold out, so register today to ensure your spot.
The Forum’s main programming takes place February 19 & 20, 2015 at the Hyatt Regency Vancouver and will include three plenary presentations, 56 sessions, over 150 speakers and a debate.
Sessions that may be of interest include:
The College hosted its first Online Panel on Quality Pharmacy on Monday, November 3, 2014.
Speakers included representatives from the Canadian Pharmacists Association, UBC’s College of Health Disciplines and more. The event was moderated by Della Smith, who facilitated an engaging evening. The recorded event is available online.
The College of Pharmacists of BC has partnered with the UBC College of Health Disciplines to deliver a continuing education program for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians that promotes interdisciplinary relationships.
Pharmacy Technicians were first to get a sneak peek of the new program when the UBC College of Health Disciplines presented in collaboration with the College at the 9th Annual Pharmacy Technician Conference of BC held in Richmond on October 4 and 5.
The 123rd Annual General Meeting of the College of Pharmacists of BC took place on Saturday, November 22, 2014 at the Marriot Pinnacle Hotel.
Newly elected Board Chair Anar Dossa (District 6 – Urban Hospitals) called the meeting to order at 8:03 a.m. and welcomed over 45 attendees. She spoke on behalf of the Board, and read the chair’s report from former Chair Doug Kipp, as he was unable to attend.
Registrar Bob Nakagawa also presented different initiatives undertaken by the College and shared the results of this year’s Board election.
On November 21, 2014, the following amended College Bylaws came into force. The amendments to the Health Professions Act bylaws focus on the establishment of the Practice Review Committee, updates to the Quality Assurance Committee and minor changes to the requirements on a prescription.
The proposed amendments were available on the College website for public comment beginning on June 26, 2014 for a period of 90 days as required by law.
Summary of amendments that are in effect: