ReadLinks

September 30 is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day

September 30, 2022 marks the second annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. On this day, we encourage pharmacy professionals in British Columbia to reflect on the lived experiences of Indigenous Peoples, and what you can do within both your personal and professional lives to help address and dismantle Indigenous-specific racism in Canada.

PRP Insights - Prescription Documentation

Proper prescription documentation provides clear accountability for filling a prescription from start to finish. The HPA Bylaws Schedule F Part 1 - Community Pharmacy Standards of Practice require prescriptions to be documented with the written confirmation of the registrant(s) who were involved in and responsible for filling a prescription.

Aug 31, 2022

CCCEP Guest Post Part 1: Today's Pharmacy Professional

This is the first article in a series of articles by The Canadian Council on Continuing Education in Pharmacy (CCCEP) about the value of high quality continuing education for pharmacy professionals, the difference it can make to their practice and careers, and the role accreditation can play in ensuring the quality of continuing education.

Aug 26, 2022

CCCEP Guest Post Part 2: Julie Toppings: A Life in Pharmacy

This is the second article in a series of articles by The Canadian Council on Continuing Education in Pharmacy (CCCEP) about the value of high quality continuing education for pharmacy professionals, the difference it can make to their practice and careers, and the role accreditation can play in ensuring the quality of continuing education.

Aug 26, 2022

Articles

Tramadol Scheduling Changes - Impacts on Pharmacy Activities

On March 31, 2022, tramadol was removed from the Prescription Drug List (PDL) and listed in Schedule I of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA). It was also listed as item 19 in the Schedule of the Narcotic Control Regulations (NCR). Therefore, tramadol is now subject to all the regulatory requirements set out in the CDSA and NCR.

Since March 31, the College has received a number of questions from registrants on the implications of this change on their practice. This article explores and provides clarity on some of the most common questions received by College staff.

Dispensing Paxlovid in Community Pharmacies

Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (Paxlovid™) is an oral antiviral drug used to treat mild-to-moderate COVID-19 in adults who do not require hospitalization and are at high risk of progressing to serious illness.

Guest Post: UBC CPPD Pharmacy Update 2022 Conference

This year UBC’s Continuing Pharmacy Professional Development (CPPD) celebrates its 33rd annual Update Conference. The UBC Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences will offer this program virtually.

Preventing Dispensing Errors in Community Pharmacy

In recent years, the College has seen an increase in the number of complaints from patients who have received the wrong prescription when utilizing pharmacy services in BC.

Registrar’s Message: Thank you for 10 Amazing Years!

It’s a bit surreal to think that this will be the last time I address you all, at the end of a 42-year long career in pharmacy...

Black History Month 2022: February and Forever

February is Black History Month in Canada. Black History Month is about honouring and celebrating the achievement and contributions that Black People have made and continue to make within Canadian history, culture and society.

PRIME - All Existing PharmaNet Users Must Enrol

All existing PharmaNet users, including registered pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, must enrol in PRIME between February 1, 2022 and April 30, 2022 in order to maintain their access to PharmaNet.

New PHO Order Authorizes Pharmacy Technicians to Provide COVID-19 Vaccines

As part of BC’s ongoing response to COVID-19, on January 9, 2022, Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry issued an Order allowing a number of health professionals, including pharmacy technicians, to perform COVID-19 immunization activities with specific limits and mandatory training.

New Procedures for Harm Reduction Prescriptions

The following information has been adapted from the BC PharmaCare Newsletter Edition 22-001, published on January 05, 2022.

Prescribers and pharmacists are asked to add “SA” (safer alternative) to prescriptions and PharmaNet entries for prescribed harm reduction drugs. This will improve data for safer supply programs and identify unintended risks or harms. Prescribed harm reduction drug options are outlined in the Risk Mitigation Interim Clinical Guidance, the Opioid Use Disorder Practice Update, and the Access to Prescribed Safer Supply Policy

Amendment to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and the Narcotic Control Regulations

The Office of Controlled Substances (OCS) would like to remind Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities (PRA) that as of March 31, 2022, tramadol will be removed from the Prescription Drug List (PDL) and listed in Schedule I of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA). Tramadol will also be listed as item 19 in the Schedule of the Narcotic Control Regulations (NCR) and therefore subject to all the regulatory requirements set out in the CDSA and NCR. Controlling tramadol will strengthen Health Canada's oversight of legitimate activities with this substance, and facilitate detection and prevention of diversion.

Guest Post: Research Participation Opportunity for Community Pharmacists in Lower Mainland

Adverse drug events, the unintended and harmful outcomes of medication use, are a leading cause of emergency department visits and hospital admissions. Approximately 30% are repeat events, meaning the patient was re-exposed to a medication that previously caused harm. Gaps in communication between acute and community-based care providers exacerbate this problem.

We want to ensure that community pharmacists receive the right adverse drug event alert at the right time. We want to hear your opinions about how the alerts look, if they are easy to understand, and what you would do when presented with certain types of alerts