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Council of the Ontario College of Pharmacists

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Structure of Council and its Committees

In accordance with the Pharmacy Act, 1991, Council is composed of 17 pharmacists elected from the electoral districts of the province, two of whom represent hospital pharmacists, between nine and 16 public members appointed by the Lieutenant-Governor-in-Council, and the Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy. Every member of the College who is a resident of Ontario and has paid the annual fee qualifies to vote in an election of members to Council. Council holds elections for one-third of the electoral districts yearly, on the first Wednesday in August. The term of office is three years with a maximum of nine consecutive years.

Council elects a President and Vice President from among its members. To do the day-to-day work of the College, Council appoints full-time staff positions filled by non-Council members. These include a Registrar and other support staff. Council must meet at least twice a year, although in practice it meets four times a year in September, December, March, and June. Council activities are subject to review by the Minister of Health. The Minister can advise or make certain requests of Council regarding the regulatory responsibilities of the College.

The Health Professions Procedural Code and the Pharmacy Act require Council to establish and appoint seven statutory committees and allow Council to establish other committees as members deem appropriate. The seven required statutory committees are the Executive, Complaints, Discipline, Fitness to Practice, Patient Relations, Quality Assurance, and Registration Committees. The Pharmacy Act also requires the College to establish an Accreditation Committee. In addition, under a bylaw, Council has established the Professional Practice and Finance Committees.

Administrative Structure

The Council of the College is the policy-making group and functions as a board of directors. The administrative staff has the responsibility of carrying out these policies and administering the Regulated Health Professions Act (RHPA), the Pharmacy Act, the Drug and Pharmacies Regulation Act (DPRA), and associated Regulation. The Registrar is the Chief Executive Officer and is subject to Council's direction.

Powers of Council

Council has certain powers under the statute including the power to pass bylaws affecting internal matters. These matters include the conduct of meetings, expenses, elections and appointment of committees. Also significant is Council's power to make regulations subject to the approval of the Lieutenant-Governor-in-Council (Provincial Cabinet).

The Regulated Health Professions Act (RHPA) and the Drug and Pharmacies Regulation Act (DPRA) outline the matters upon which the Council may make regulations. Regulations are rules of procedure that Council may also change (again subject to Government approval) without bringing them to the legislature. They cannot exceed the authority given in the Acts. The Acts are senior documents, and the Ontario Legislature must approve any changes.

The RHPA Regulations deal with the following matters: election of members to Council (electoral districts, eligibility, procedures), requirements and procedures regarding the issuing of Certificates of Registration, advertising, conflict of interest, and defining professional misconduct. The DPRA includes regulations regarding prescriptions and the sale of drugs (refills, records and labelling), standards of maintenance and operation of a pharmacy (equipment, library), and establishment of drug schedules and fees.

As previously stated, the College regulates the profession under the authority of the Regulated Health Professions Act, the Pharmacy Act and the Drug and Pharmacies Regulation Act. So that the College may serve and protect the public interest, its objects, as outlined in the Acts, are:

To regulate the practice of pharmacy and to govern the members in accordance with the Pharmacy Act, the Code, and the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 and the regulations and by-laws.
To develop, establish and maintain standards of qualification for persons to be issued Certificates of Registration.
To develop, establish and maintain programs and standards of practice to assure the quality of the practice of pharmacy.
To develop, establish and maintain standards of knowledge and skill and programs to promote continuing competence among the members.
To develop, establish and maintain standards of professional ethics for the members.
To develop, establish and maintain programs to assist individuals to exercise their rights under the Code and the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991.
To administer the Pharmacy Act, the Code and the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 as it relates to pharmacy, and to perform the other duties and exercise the other powers that are imposed or conferred on the College.
Any other objects relating to human health care that the Council considers desirable.
To regulate drugs and pharmacies under the Drug and Pharmacies Regulation Act.
To develop, establish and maintain standards of qualification for persons to be issued Certificates of Accreditation.

Beyond the statutory requirements, Council brings pharmacists' views to a central coordinating body. Here, members discuss policies and make recommendations to governments regarding legislation. Council provides direction to the Registrar for administration of that legislation. It also provides leadership and guidance for the profession in providing pharmaceutical services to the public.