MSP Member Update Vol. 9 No. 58
September 15th, 2010

In This Issue: Today

Town Hall Meeting and Rural Manitoba Videoconference

(2.5 CEU’s)

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Samuel Cohen Auditorium
St. Boniface Research Centre,
 351 Tache Avenue, Winnipeg
6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Please note that the Town Hall Meeting and Rural Manitoba Videoconference for the Regulation Policy Consultation Document will take place this evening. MSP would like to encourage members to participate in the event. Please see the background information provided below:

By now you should have received from the Manitoba Pharmaceutical Association (MPhA) a copy of the 2010 Pharmaceutical Regulations Policy Consultation Document, dated September 9th, 2010.

We trust our members and pharmacy stakeholders recognize this marks a significant happening in the Regulation Development Process.  The Pharmaceutical Regulations Policy Consultation Document (Consultation Document) builds on the December, 3rd, 2007 document, which was not approved by the MPhA membership.  The changes included in the new Consultation Document are largely the product of the Regulation Development Process managed by the PricewaterhouseCoopers Steering Committee.

 The Manitoba Society of Pharmacists (MSP) and MPhA were equally represented on the Steering Committee so not surprisingly MSP believes the revised regulation document contains several improvements.  The new document addresses many of the concerns MSP previously identified in thirteen position statements.

 Examples of some of the improvements which can be found in the Consultation Document include the following:

Scope of Practice

The new document, subject to practice directions allows for pharmacists to adapt prescriptions (alter the dosage strength, dosing interval and/or formulation for a prescribed drug).

 In addition, pharmacists will have the ability, subject to practice directions, to prescribe those schedule 1 drugs which are included on the list developed to support patient self-managed care.  This limited formulary included as Schedule “B” to the Policy Document is a work in progress and should generate significant interest and debate.

 Pharmacy Manager Qualifications:

The requirement to have received training or completed a professional development program that meets the learning objectives established by Council or, in the alternative, have at least 2,000 practice hours as a pharmacist in a similar practice in any Canadian jurisdiction has been removed from the regulations.

Distance Care Component

Significant changes have been made to the regulation of the distance care component.  Despite improvements in this area further amendments may be necessary.

 Pharmacist Profiles:

Each pharmacist will receive and have an opportunity to review their profile before it is made available to the public.

Record Keeping:

The required amount of time for the retention of records was reduced from 7 years to 5 years and this includes sales and acquisition records. As well, the requirement to retain records of destruction of drugs was removed from the regulations.

 There are a variety of other changes such as the manner in which inducements in relation to prescription drugs are regulated. It is expected that not everyone is going to be satisfied with each section of the Consultation Document.  There are issues such as the section which addresses the External Dispensing Component that members need to understand.

 Another issue which needs to be fully addressed is the process to develop Practice Directions. It is anticipated that in the coming days MPhA Council will finalize their policy relating to creating and maintaining Practice Directions.

 All Manitoba pharmacists have an opportunity to comment on the Consultation Document during the consultation period (deadline September 27th).  Members are also encouraged to provide feedback directly to MSP, (info@msp.mb.ca) and we will continue to work on further changes.  There continues to be sections of the Consultation Document MSP believes need further improvement.  The coming weeks will allow for the opportunity for MSP to work with members and to make further contributions.

 The Consultation Document has been posted to the MSP website and can be downloaded at:  http://www.msp.mb.ca/files/regsdraftsept9.10.pdf.

The MSP looks forward to a robust consultation process.  The Society hopes to assume a meaningful role in disseminating relevant information over the coming weeks.  We are developing plans to keep the membership informed, and you can expect to receive regular communications.

In closing, when a final document is circulated for a vote in October, MSP wants to be able to support it.  This decision cannot be made until the draft regulations have been finalized.  During the interim period, the Society expects to be fully engaged in the consultation process.