Standards of Practice

These Standards of Practice outline the minimum standards that all registered pharmacists and pharmacy technicians must meet.

Regardless of a practitioner’s position or practice environment, when a pharmacist or pharmacy technician performs a specific role, they must perform it to the level specified in the Standards of Practice and meet all of the standards associated with that role.

The Standards of Practice outline how all aspects of pharmacy practice are meant to be delivered to mitigate risk and maximize health outcomes. The College expects that pharmacists and pharmacy technicians will diligently practice to these Standards.

Standards of Practice

The College has adopted the Standards of Practice developed by the National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities (NAPRA) as the standards governing the practice of pharmacy in Ontario.

• Model Standards of Practice for Pharmacists
• Model Standards of Practice for Pharmacy Technicians
• Supplemental Standards of Practice for Schedule II and Schedule III Drugs
• Supplemental Standard of Practice: Mandatory Standardized Medication Safety Program in Ontario Pharmacies

Sterile Compounding Standards

The College has adopted the following as the standard for sterile compounding in Ontario.

• Model Standards for Pharmacy Compounding of Non-Hazardous Sterile Preparations

• Model Standards for Pharmacy Compounding of Hazardous Sterile Preparations

This was approved by Council in September 2016 for implementation by January 1, 2019. Learn more about the implementation of the standards on the Sterile Compounding Key Initiative.

Non-Sterile Compounding Standards

The College has adopted the following as the standard for non-sterile compounding in Ontario.

• Model Standards for Pharmacy Compounding of Non-Sterile Preparations

• Guidance Document for Pharmacy Compounding of Non-sterile Preparations

This was approved by Council in December 2017 for a three phased implementation by January 1, 2021.

Implementation priorities and timelines for completion of each phase are:

• Phase 1: January 1, 2020 - Assessing Risks and Gaps
• Phase 2: July 1, 2020 - Personnel Training and Quality Assurance
• Phase 3: January 1, 2021 - Facilities and Equipment
  

Learn more about the priorities and timelines on the Non-Sterile Compounding Key Initiative.

Long-Term Care

The College provides the following standards on long-term care.

• Standards for Pharmacists Providing Services to Licensed Long-Term Care Facilities

Pharmacy Practice Management Systems

NAPRA has produced these additional resources regarding PPMS.

• Pharmacy Practice Management Systems: Requirements to Support NAPRA's Model Standards of Practice for Canadian Pharmacists.

• Pharmacy Practice Management Systems Supplemental Requirements on Traceability and Bulk Preparation Labelling to Support NAPRA’s “Model Standards of Practice for Canadian Pharmacists” and “Model Standards for Pharmacy Compounding”