The first set of proposed regulatory amendments for submission to the Ontario government to expand scope of practice has been approved by Council following a 60-day open public consultation. These changes would allow pharmacy professionals to:
- Administer the flu vaccine to children as young as two years old;
- Renew prescriptions in quantities of up to a 12-month supply;
- Administer certain substances by injection and/or inhalation for purposes that are in addition to patient education and demonstration.
The proposed amendments would also enable pharmacy professionals to perform point of care tests when regulations under the Laboratory and Specimen Collection Centre Licensing Act are amended by the Ministry of Health.
Council also approved replacing existing drug lists for authorized substances that can be administered by injection or inhalation with drug categories, which has been adopted by other health regulators. In addition, Council approved the recommendation that additional education in administering the flu vaccine to children aged two to five years old will be voluntary and left to the professional discretion of pharmacy professionals.
Council carefully considered the feedback received through the open public consultation, as well as additional input from members of the public, professional associations and other health profession regulators before approving the proposed changes.
These regulatory amendments will be submitted by Nov. 30 to the Ministry for consideration. The provincial government must review and approve them, and will determine when they will take effect.
With a mandate to serve and protect the public, the College is committed to supporting pharmacy professionals in providing safe and high quality care as their role expands. It will continue to collaborate and engage with registrants, pharmacy stakeholders and other health system partners over the coming months to prepare for these changes.
The College is also developing a new set of proposed regulations that would allow pharmacists to prescribe for certain minor ailments, which must be submitted to the Ministry for consideration by June 30, 2020. Registrants can expect more information about potential engagement opportunities in the coming weeks.
For more information and the latest developments about expanding scope of practice, please look for updates on our website, in e-Connect and in Pharmacy Connection.