Pharmacy Staff

JULY 2009 ONTARIO COUNCIL OF HOSPITAL UNIONS/CUPE

Regulation means major changes coming

The Health Systems Improvement Act (Bill 171) was passed in June 4, 2007, and amended the Regulated Health Professions Act, the Pharmacy Act and the Drug and Pharmacy Regulation Act enabling the regulation of pharmacy technicians. The College will register the rst group of pharmacy technicians in early 2010. Although regulation is voluntary, those who choose not to become registered will NOT be able to use the title pharmacy technician. Employers may require all current pharmacy technicians to become registered with the College, but some may only require a certain number to be registered. According to the Project Director of Pharmacy Technician Regulation of the Ontario College of Pharmacists, employers will have a choice of three levels of personnel, pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and pharmacy assistants. It is expected that there will be a continuing role for pharmacy assistants). Technicians will be expected to pay a fee to the College that is 2/3 of what pharmacists pay. Based on the current fee structure, the amount would be $358.57. Introduction of the Bridging Education Program for Pharmacy Technicians is continuing. The Pharmacology for Pharmacy Technician Bridging course is being introduced in January [of 2009] and the Professional Practice for Pharmacy Technician Bridging course will be oered again. Note: Although there may be limited spaces available at this time, these courses wi$ be oered ongoing for the next ve to seven years, along with the additional required courses for the Bridging Program for Pharmacy Technicians. Access wi$ also increase throughout 2009

Who The proposed Registration Regulation states that all pharmacy technicians who are currently in the profession (i.e. graduates of programs prior to, or without CCAPP accreditation, or on-thejob trained) and who wish to pursue OCP registration, must complete the approved Bridging Education Program.

Note: eligibility [i.e. to participate in the Bridging Education Program] requires completion of the OCP certication exam or PEBC [Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada] evaluating exam rst.

This means that employees who have voluntarily taken the OCP certication exam in the past will have rst dibs at taking the bridging courses, since the PEBC evaluation exam will not be available until the fall of this year. Hence the fear that if we treat the requirement to be registered as in eect creating a new classication (with a new wage rate), employees who become registered earlier (who may well be junior), will be the only employees qualied for the new positions. Incidentally, pharmacy technicians who took the OCP certication will lose the right to use this designation [the College is discontinuing this certication] if they do not register with the College and will also have to discontinue using any form of title containing the words pharmacy technician. What The Bridging Program consists of four courses (including an onsite practice evaluation of product release). It is designed to provide pharmacy technicians with the knowledge and skills needed to meet the expectations of the expanded role that regulation will allow. Management of Drug Distribution Systems (42 hours) This course will examine various drug distribution systems, prepare learners to perform accurate product release, and manage operations in a pharmacy practice setting. The course will explore distributive functions in institutional settings ensuring accuracy, integrity, and medication safety. The learner will develop safe product release practices within the parameters of the pharmacy technician role. This course will identify common drug plans and their formularies, and investigate daily challenges in the adjudication process. Inventory management elements will be

detailed including common business practices. Note: There will be a structured practical evaluation following this course (and managed by OCP) to verify the learners ability to consistently perform accurate product release in the workplace. The average cost is $253 plus text book. Pharmacology (33 hours) This course provides a practical, applied approach to pharmacology. Through a variety of learning tools such as assignments, quizzes, case studies and group work, the student will enhance his/her ability to practice competently and contribute to a safe patient care setting. Participants will gain basic knowledge related to the pharmacological uses of drugs within a variety of commonly encountered medical conditions. Average costs $207 plus text book. Product Preparation (42 hours) This practical lab course provides students with theoretical knowledge and practical experienceneeded to accurately and safelyprepareboth sterile and non-sterile pharmaceutical products. Emphasisin the sterile component of the course will be on the development of aseptic technique under CSHP (Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacists) guidelines includingan overview of chemotherapy andTPN.In thenon-sterile component,students willreviewmethadone guidelinesand willprepareinternal and externalpreparations using common compounding formulas,under OCP, GMP and WHMIS guidelines.The identication of reference materials,and documentation practices, performance of accurate calculations, measurements and preparation techniques will assist the student in developing their compoundingskills and aseptic technique.

Note: this course is still in the development stage it should become available in the fall. Professional Practice (45 hours) Students will beprepared for entry to practice in ve main areas of focus: legal requirements, scope of practice, ethical principles, professionalism and communication skills. Through a variety of learning tools such as interactive case studies, assignments, quizzes and group work, the student will enhance his/ her ability to practice competently within the professional practice framework. Average cost $278 plus text book

Where The courses are being oered by the Continuing Education Department of community colleges with a CCAPP accredited Pharmacy Technician Education Program. (As of fall 2008, this includes Centennial, Fanshawe, Humber, Lambton, Niagara, Sheridan, St. Clair). Access to all courses will continue to increase throughout 2009, with the addition of aliated community college delivery starting in the New Year (for communities that are outside the catchment area of the accredited community college programs). On-line course delivery is expected by late spring 2009. After completion of the bridging program, technicians will be required to take and successfully pass the PEBC entry to practice exam and a jurisprudence before they can apply for registration. It is expected that these will be piloted in the latter half of 2009. After that the entry to practice exam will be oered twice annually, and the jurisprudence exam four times annually. Note: January 1, 2015 is the deadline to complete the bridging