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Our Role
The Ontario College of Pharmacists regulates and licenses all Ontario pharmacists.
Its primary role is to make sure that all pharmacists provide Ontarians with high quality, ethical pharmaceutical care.
The College is overseen by a Council of 15 elected community pharmacists, 2 hospital pharmacists, and most importantly, 12 members of the public who have been appointed to the Council to speak on the public and patients' behave.
Although we are called a college, we are not a school. Pharmacy is a self-governing profession and is one of 21 regulated health professions in Ontario that have a college to oversee their health profession.
Other regulated health professions in Ontario include: nurses, physicians, optometrists, respiratory therapists, dieticians, etc.
Ontario laws administered by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care set the legal framework for regulated health professions, but the colleges are independent of the ministry.
Like all health regulatory colleges, the College of Pharmacists is established to oversee its profession under the Regulated Health Professions Act. This Act has been designed to protect the rights of all Ontarian’s to safe, effective and ethical health care.
Anyone who wants to practice as a pharmacist, dispense medications, or sell products defined as drugs to the public, must first have met the professional qualifications set by the College, and be registered as a pharmacist. As with all regulated health professionals, pharmacists are accountable to their College for their conduct and practice.
What We Do
The Ontario College of Pharmacists makes sure that all pharmacists meet Ontario’s training and education standards before they can practice or use the title of pharmacist:
We set the standards, code of ethics and policies for all pharmacists’ conduct and practice
We develop programs to monitor pharmacist’s qualifications and skills and we develop ways to help them continue to improve their professional skills and knowledge
We set the standards and rules for operating a pharmacy
We address concerns and complaints about the conduct or practice of licensed pharmacists
The Pharmacy Profession
Pharmacy in Ontario is a self-governing profession. As required by the Regulated Health Professions Act, the College’s Council is made up of both pharmacists and members of the public. Council’s primary role is to ensure that your interests as a patient are protected and maintained.
Council
The College’s Council meetings and discipline hearings are open to the public. To obtain dates for council meetings or discipline hearings, or to reserve a seat, contact the College at (416) 962-4861 or 1-800-220-1921.
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