When is the Practice Review Program being launched?
The Practice Review Program launched in Community Practice in 2015 and in Hospital Practice in 2017.
How will the Practice Review Program work?
The Practice Review Program will have two components: the Pharmacy Review and the Pharmacy Professionals Review. The Pharmacy Review component will be a familiar process, as it mirrors the College’s current pharmacy inspection process. For the Pharmacy Professionals Review, a College compliance officer will observe and assess individual pharmacy professionals in four key areas of practice.
How will pharmacy professionals who do not practice in a conventional community or hospital setting be reviewed?
The College recognizes that there are a variety of different practices in BC, and asked for feedback on this subject through online engagement with over 1500 pharmacy professionals. The College will be taking a phased approach in developing the Practice Review Program and, with input from the Practice Review Committee, will develop processes that address different practices within the province.
Who has been involved with the development of the Practice Review Program?
The Board has consulted widely on the program, and was actively informed not only by the Quality Assurance Committee, but by the 1500 practising pharmacy professionals across the province who participated in an online engagement opportunity. Pharmacy managers and pharmacy professionals in community pharmacy practice also participated in two feedback forums held in April 2014.
At the April 2014 meeting, the Board established the Practice Review Committee which will oversee the development of the program, and its policies and processes for final approval by the Board.
Why is the College implementing the new Practice Review Program?
The College is implementing the Practice Review Program in order to enhance the quality of pharmacy practice by improving compliance through strengthened enforcement. One of the ways that the College can ensure best practices are being followed is to establish and communicate standards and guidelines to pharmacy professionals and review their individual performance in a pharmacy setting. By reviewing real practice in real time, the College is helping to maintain and elevate public confidence in the profession.