For information about Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam, please click here.
The Health Systems Improvement Act, 2007 (Bill 171) was passed by the Ontario Legislature on June 4, 2007. This Act, which amends the Regulated Health Professions Act, the Pharmacy Act and Drug and Pharmacy Regulation Act as well as many other health profession acts, enables the regulation of pharmacy technicians.
The Regulation of Pharmacy Technicians will allow for support of pharmacists in the provision of more comprehensive patient care services and promotion of optimal pharmacy services for the public. For an overview and history of this initiative, click here.
There are many components to the regulation initiative. The College has been working with our partners over the last several years to develop the foundation needed to support regulation of a new profession. The following related practice documents are available for reference.
- Professional Competencies for Canadian Pharmacy Technicians at
Entry to Practice - Proposed Standards of Practice for Registered Pharmacy Technicians
- Code of Ethics
- Guidelines for The Pharmacist on the Role of the Pharmacy Technician
Recent Updates on the Regulation of Pharmacy Technicians:
Government Supports Curriculum Development for Pharmacy Technician Bridging Education Program
July 2008
Educational Requirements for Pharmacy Technicians
May 2008
Pharmacy Technician Certification Program Concludes As Preparation for Regulation Continues
November 2007
OCP Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam to be Discontinued
October 2007
New Legislation Gives Pharmacy Technicians Title Protection
August 2007
Announcement to Pharmacy Technicians - Bill 171
June 2007
Creating the Big Picture on Pharmacy Technician Regulation
April 2007
Ontario’s Minister of Health and Long-Term Care has introduced legislation that will enable the regulation of pharmacy technicians in Ontario. This important step, along with progress toward the accreditation of pharmacy technician education programs and development of an entry-to-practice examination provides significant support for the regulation initiative.
Preparing for Regulation: What you can do now
February 2007
The College is pleased to report the results of the survey on Regulation of Pharmacy Technicians, which shows strong support for the initiative. Pharmacy technicians who wish to pursue regulation can start the process now by completing the certification exam.
We're Moving Forward with Regulating Pharmacy Technicians
August 2006
With the release of the Health Professions Regulatory Advisory Council report that includes a recommendation to regulate pharmacy technicians, College efforts to establish the entry to practice requirements and to develop a transition process for practising pharmacy technicians continue.
Regulation updates available through conferences/workshops
Click here for details on the 26th Annual Pharmacy Technician Conference, February 23-24, 2008 at Humber College, North Campus, Toronto, ON
Click here to view the PowerPoint Presentation to GTA Hospital Pharmacy Technicians held on February 13, 2007 at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
Legislative Process for Regulation of Pharmacy Technicians
The Health Systems Improvement Act, 2007 (Bill 171), was passed in the Ontario legislature on June 4, 2007. Click here to view the Act.
"The Ontario College of Pharmacists is pleased and proud that Ontario is leading the way in maximizing the value the Pharmacy profession can bring to the public through regulation of pharmacy technicians." (Gerry Cook, President, OCP, in response to the introduction of Bill 171, Ministry of MOHLTC fact sheet)
HPRAC's report to the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care - released Friday May 19, 2006.
The College was very pleased that the request to formally regulate pharmacy technicians as an independent profession, and as a separate class of registrant under the umbrella of the Ontario College of Pharmacists, went forward as a key recommendation.
The complete report can be found by clicking here - the section regarding the Regulation of Pharmacy Technicians is found on page 127 of the document (page 129 on PDF file).
Partners in support of the Regulation of Pharmacy Technicians
There are many national and provincial organizations that are in support of the initiative to regulate pharmacy technicians. The College has been working in partnership with the following organizations on various aspects of the project.
PEBC - The College is working in partnership with the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC) towards the development of an entry to practice examination for pharmacy technicians seeking registration with the College.
CCAPP – The College is supporting CCAPP‘s development of accreditation standards for pharmacy technician education programs.
NAPRA – Development of national competencies for pharmacy technicians will support regulation of pharmacy technicians across the country.
CPhA – The College is supporting the work of CPhA and other partners in the exploration of the human resource issues for the profession of pharmacy. CPhA is developing a blueprint for action for the profession, which includes the role of pharmacy technicians
CAPT – The national association for pharmacy technicians has provided representation for pharmacy technicians in Canada in relation to the regulation initiative.