There are new developments in the regulation of pharmacy technicians everywhere these days. Each development adds another piece to the puzzle, and though each piece on its own may not seem meaningful, it contributes significantly to the bigger picture that is emerging, both provincially and nationally.
How close are we to completing this puzzle? There are many pieces still missing, but the picture is definitely taking shape.
Puzzle Piece: Legislation
On December 12, 2006, George Smitherman, Ontario’s Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, introduced Bill 171, the Health Systems Improvement Act. This piece of legislation proposes changes to several existing acts to enhance Ontario’s health care system. Included in Bill 171 are proposed changes to the Pharmacy Act and the Drug and Pharmacies Regulation Act which would allow for the regulation of pharmacy technicians to proceed.
This is a very important piece of the puzzle, but by no means the final one in this area of the picture. When legislation is introduced, it goes through a process of review and possible revision before becoming law; this was only the first step of the process, but important nonetheless.
This new development is very significant. It tells us the government does support the regulation of pharmacy technicians, and would like to accomplish it in a manner consistent with OCP’s original proposal. That is to say, pharmacy technicians would be registered as members of the Ontario College of Pharmacists and the title “pharmacy technician,” or any abbreviation there of (e.g., RPhT), would be protected by law in Ontario, for use by registered members only. Registered pharmacy technicians would also have the authority to perform the controlled acts of dispensing and compounding, subject to the terms, conditions, and limitations on their registration certificate, which would allow them to fulfill the new, expanded role.
Puzzle Piece: Accreditation of Pharmacy Technician Education Programs
The Canadian Council for Accreditation of Pharmacy Programs (CCAPP) proposed a process for the accreditation of pharmacy technician education programs in the fall of 2006. (It is available on the CCAPP website at http://www.ccapp-accredit.ca/news/). Having received general support from key stakeholders, CCAPP has initiated development of the process and standards for the accreditation. This initiative builds on the earlier work of the Canadian Pharmacy Technician Educators’ Association (CPTEA) such that the standards will be consistent with the Educational Outcomes that CPTEA developed.
The pieces of the accreditation component of the puzzle are falling into place as planned. CCAPP is on target with timelines, and anticipates having the accreditation standards and process ready to present to the Council at its meeting in June 2007. With the Council’s approval, CCAPP will be able to open the process to applicants, and could consider preliminary accreditation of some pharmacy technician education programs by the summer of 2008.
Puzzle Piece: An Entry-to-Practice Examination
A standard component of regulation for any profession is the confirmation, through examination, that individual members of the profession have the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities required to fulfil their role. The Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC) provides this type of assessment for pharmacists seeking registration in Canada, and has undertaken to develop and pilot a national entry-to-practice examination for pharmacy technicians as well. The OCP is working in collaboration with PEBC on this project, along with the assistance of the Colleges of Pharmacists in British Columbia and Alberta; also actively pursuing models of regulation of pharmacy technicians.
A Project Steering Committee, with representatives from key national stakeholder organizations, is in place to oversee project planning and development, and research and evaluation of the project. A whole puzzle on its own, exam development involves such activities as determining assessment formats, eligibility criteria, the examination blueprint, guidelines for question writing and standard setting. In addition to this work, the Steering Committee is overseeing the development of the research objectives and methodology.
Linking the Pieces
Other national developments are helping to frame and inform Ontario’s picture. The Canadian Pharmacists’ Association has completed a national survey about the current and future roles of pharmacy technicians in Canada. The results will be very helpful in giving us a clearer understanding of the future direction of the profession, and will allow Ontario to evaluate how our own survey results (reported in the January/February 2007 Pharmacy Connection) compare with the national findings.
The National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities (NAPRA) approved an objective to develop professional competencies for Canadian pharmacy technicians at entry to practice by late February 2007. National entry-to-practice competencies are fundamental to the work of other organizations, such as PEBC and CCAPP, and will provide another mechanism for Ontario to determine how it compares nationally.
Advancements toward the regulation of pharmacy technicians, nationally and provincially, are closely connected; each one links to the other, creating a very bright and clear picture for the profession.