Pharmacy Matters

Modern pharmacy practice in BC uses a number of pharmacy database systems such as PharmaNet for tasks including data collection and patient record management. 

Patients in British Columbia have the right to choose the pharmacy and pharmacy professional they receive services from. This right enables them to transfer their prescriptions between pharmacies at their own discretion. In the event of a transfer request, both pharmacies are expected to facilitate to process in a way that ensures adequate continuity of care. 

PharmaNet is a valuable tool for protecting public safety that allows pharmacy professionals to review a patient’s complete medication history and check a prescription for drug allergies and harmful drug interactions before dispensing medication. However, with access to patient information comes the responsibility to uphold legislative requirements and ethical obligations for patient privacy and confidentiality. 

Every year, the College receives many complaints related to medication dispensing errors by pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. While medication errors are a major concern for the College, it is important to note that often the complainant’s secondary complaint is that the dispensing pharmacist did not appear to take responsibility or accountability for the error.

In recent complaints, patients have reported receiving the following statements after reporting the error:

“You should have checked the medications before you left the pharmacy…”

ISMP Canada has received multiple reports of severe harm or death in patients taking methotrexate for rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases. 

Accidental methotrexate overdoses have recently been reported to the College through the complaints process. While these cases have been resolved, it was suggested that it would be valuable to bring this to the attention of pharmacy professionals across the province.

Parkinson Society Canada has launched its first online training module for health care professionals. The free online module – accredited by the College of Family Physicians of Canada – provides health care professionals with case examples to build their knowledge and expertise around consistently identifying, treating and managing their Parkinson’s patients.

Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians know how critical it is to be alert and focused while providing safe and effective pharmacy care to their patients. Taking a break helps ensure that you stay sharp throughout the day and continue to provide quality care. A break isn’t just a good idea - it’s an employee’s right under the law.

Pharmacists are reminded to check patient identification before providing any pharmacy services. Not only is it a critical step in ensuring the right medication is getting to the right person, it prevents a number of other problems from occurring later, particularly if the patient turns out not to be who he or she said they were.

When pharmacists decide to open their own pharmacy some details are often overlooked. Here is a list of the top 5 things you need to do when trying to open up your own pharmacy.

1. Know the requirements for your new pharmacy.