MSP Member Update Vol. 9 No. 79
Nov. 10th, 2010

Members of the Manitoba Society of Pharmacists,

You should be aware that MPhA has announced the results of the vote and “the 2010 Draft Pharmaceutical Regulations Policy Document passed with 493 (84%) votes in favor, of the 588 ballots received.   There were 8 spoiled ballots and 10 abstentions.”

In contrast to the March, 2008, vote on draft regulations, these results demonstrate a full 50% increase in support (see below).

The vote on the draft regulations was Friday, March 7th, 2008.  The results were as follows:
“1. With the following excerpts listed below for which I will vote separately, I approve the    Pharmaceutical Regulations Policy Document dated December 3, 2007”.

Yes 168  (34%)          No 322              Abstentions 9

These results are a very positive development for the profession overall.  The new Pharmaceutical Act is enabling and with these regulations the legislation will provide the profession, for the very first time, real opportunity to assume greater roles in the delivery of health services in Manitoba. 

The priority now becomes preparing for the opportunities which will become available, given that the legislative and regulatory process is nearer to completion.  Now is the time to start considering more seriously about taking advantage of the possibilities about to become available.

Although this regulatory process may have seemed to have taken a very long time and concerns have been raised with delays, the profession compares very well to other provincial jurisdictions.  Manitoba will be only the second province to reform (comprehensively update) their pharmacy legislation in recent years.   The opportunities in this province for expanding pharmacists’ scope of practice are at least equal to a small number of provinces, and are significantly greater than all others.  Manitoba will be a province that allows the profession to advance.

No one should expect that the next number of years will be without challenges.  We can expect many.  However with opportunity grows optimism.  The opportunity should be available within months, its time to become optimistic for the future.