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Guest Post: Cefuroxime is a Safe Alternative for Penicillin Allergic Patients

In light of the increasing concern over antibiotic misuse, particularly the overprescription of clindamycin in dentistry, the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) and the UBC Therapeutics Initiative (TI) have collaborated to provide dentists with prescribing Portraits aimed at improving antibiotic use. Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians play an important role in determining the safety of alternative antibiotics and communicating with patients. Luckily, safe alternatives to clindamycin exist for patients with true penicillin allergies, including the beta-lactam antibiotic cefuroxime.

Guest Post: Putting Patients First 2024

Join the Putting Patients First 2024 conference on November 14, 2024. This year’s theme is “building learning communities.”

The conference advances learning communities to improve health and health research ecosystems. Leaders in the health and health research communities, from patients to policy makers, are welcome.

Aug 21, 2024

Guest Post: Invitation to Participate – Understanding Scope of Practice Expansion in Pharmacy (U-Prep)

A team of Canadian researchers, led by Drs Natalie Crown (University of Toronto) and Teri Charrois (University of British Columbia), is conducting a NEW study focused on exploring the perspectives of community pharmacists across Canada on implementing an expanded scope of services within their practice.

Aug 19, 2024

Guest Post: UBC Therapeutics Initiative's Bringing Best Evidence to Clinicians Annual Course 2024

The UBC Therapeutics Initiative’s (UBC TI) goal is for drug therapies to be used wisely in the best interests of patients, based on thorough and accurate understanding of scientific evidence. It is the 30th anniversary of the UBC TI and they will be hosting a special version of their annual conference. REGISTRATION is now open. Evaluations by past attendees often say they appreciate “the other side of the story” about prescription drugs – presented and discussed by an unconflicted faculty. Please consider registering for Best Evidence 2024, and let your colleagues or students know about this opportunity:

Aug 07, 2024

Articles

PRP INSIGHTS: Sterile Compounding Mini-Series – Gloved Fingertip Sampling and Media Fill Testing

As of September 2022, the College has been reviewing sterile compounding services under the Practice Preview Program using the Sterile Compounding Review Form. During sterile compounding reviews, Compliance Officers may identify areas of non-compliance, for which they will then work with pharmacy staff to ensure deficiencies are addressed through establishment and implementation of corrective measures. This article is the second of a series that highlight areas of non-compliance observed during sterile compounding reviews.

As a follow-up to our first article on sterile compounding policies and procedures, this installment discusses compounding personnel competency assessments, specifically, gloved fingertip sampling (GFS) and media fill testing (MFT).

PRP INSIGHTS: Areas of Non-Compliance for Pharmacist Drug Administration

The Practice Review Program (PRP) has recently introduced community pharmacy review criteria for drug administration. During reviews, Compliance Officers are reviewing drug administration services to ensure that pharmacists are practicing in accordance with the established standards, limits and conditions. Compliance Officers may identify areas of non-compliance, for which they will then work with pharmacy managers to ensure deficiencies are addressed through establishment and implementation of corrective measures.

This article will focus on some of the early findings regarding areas of non-compliance observed by Compliance Officers when reviewing these services.

PRP INSIGHTS: Sterile Compounding Mini-Series - Policies and Procedures

As of September 2022, the College has been reviewing sterile compounding services under the Practice Review Program using the Sterile Compounding Review Form.

During sterile compounding reviews, Compliance Officers identify areas of non-compliance, then work with pharmacy staff to ensure deficiencies in their practice are addressed through establishment and implementation of corrective measures. This article discusses the development and application of written sterile compounding policies and procedures.

PRP INSIGHTS: Vaccine Scheduling

Compliance Officers commonly receive questions about whether or not specific vaccines require a prescription. This installment of PRP Insights will provide information to clarify prescription requirements for vaccines.

PRP Insights: Areas of Non-Compliance for Pharmacist Prescribing for Minor Ailments and Contraception (PPMAC)

On June 1, 2023, new regulatory standards came into effect that provided pharmacists in BC with the authority to diagnose and prescribe medications to clients in British Columbia for minor ailments and contraception.

The Practice Review Program (PRP) has recently introduced community pharmacy review criteria for PPMAC. This article will focus on some of the early findings regarding areas of non-compliance observed by Compliance Officers when reviewing PPMAC services.

Guest Post: Three B.C. Health Organizations to Start Using Digital Signature on E-Faxed Prescriptions

Since 2018, more than 40,000 staff and providers across Vancouver Coastal Health, Provincial Health Services Authority and Providence Health Care facilities have moved from old systems and paper charts to CST Cerner.

From early December, following a pilot at BC Cancer’s Prince George centre, any facility using this shared electronic health records system can start using new functionality for eFaxing of prescriptions, for medications to be taken by the patient at home. Community pharmacists in B.C. who receive eFaxed prescriptions from CST Cerner facilities will now start seeing unique digital signatures in place of ‘wet’, hand-written signatures.

PRP Insights: Prescription Transmission to Community Pharmacies

During Pharmacy Reviews, Compliance Officers review a sample of prescriptions to ensure pharmacy professionals are aware of prescription requirements. In addition to checking that prescriptions include all of the required components, Compliance Officers also check that prescriptions have been received in a manner that is permitted by the College’s bylaws.

The rules around prescription transmission exist to help ensure authenticity, prevent forgeries and to ensure that only one copy of a prescription exists at a time.

This article outlines acceptable ways for pharmacy professionals to receive prescriptions, as well as common observations for non-compliant prescription transmission.

Providing Care for OAT and iOAT Patients Over the Winter Holidays

With the winter holidays approaching and many pharmacies adopting holiday hours, it is important for pharmacists to ensure that they are able to accommodate the dosing schedules of patients receiving Opioid Agonist Treatment (OAT).

Completing Your Renewal, Registration or CE Over the Holidays?

If you are planning to submit your continuing education or complete your registration or pharmacy license renewal over the holidays, make sure you are prepared.

The College Office will be closed from December 25, 2023 to January 1, 2024. This means College staff will not be available to help answer questions or provide technical support during this time.

PRP Insights: New Community Pharmacy Practice Review Criteria for Prescription Adaptation

As a follow-up to our recent article announcing the addition of new review criteria around Pharmacist Prescribing for Minor ailments and Contraception (PPMAC) and drug administration to the Community Pharmacy Review, PRP is now introducing new review criteria for prescription adaptation.

Guest Post: RN and RPN designation to treat opioid use disorder

Effective November 1, 2023, a new designation of certified practice approved by the BC College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) allows registered nurses (RNs) and registered psychiatric nurses (RPNs) to diagnose and treat OUD, including prescribing controlled drugs and substances. The new designation also allows them to issue orders to non-certified practice nurses, to compound, dispense, and administer drugs and Schedule IA medications for the treatment of OUD.