Practice Policies & Guidelines

The Ontario College of Pharmacists (OCP) publishes practice policies and guidelines to advise registrants of the College’s expectations and to provide direction regarding their practice. Practice policies outline OCP’s expectations relating to pharmacy professionals’ conduct, while re-affirming the values, principles and duties of the pharmacy profession. In addition to providing guidance to the profession, policies serve as a benchmark against which the conduct of the individual pharmacist is evaluated.

The following documents are here to assist the profession in ensuring quality patient care and safe practice environments. While these resources are meant as tools, registrants must always use their professional judgement and knowledge to assess and act appropriately within each situation.

It is important to note that the College may refer to documents from other organizations that may use terminology that does not align with these definitions. To ensure consistency, the College has grouped the documents according to its own definitions even if this does not align with the titling of other organizations.

Practice Policies

Policies serve as a benchmark against which the conduct of the individual registrant is evaluated. Operational policies outline the College’s expectations relating to specific topics within pharmacy operations.

The College develops policies through a rigorous process. More information about the College’s policy process, including what triggers policy development or review, can be found on the College’s Policy Process infographic.

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Boundary Violations and Sexual Abuse Policy

Centralized Prescription Processing (Central Fill)

Cross-Jurisdictional Pharmacy Services Policy

Designated Manager – Medication Procurement and Inventory Management

Designated Manager – Professional Supervision of Pharmacy Personnel

Designated Manager – Required Signage in a Pharmacy

Distribution of Medication Samples

Faxed Transmission of Prescriptions

Fees for Professional Pharmacy Services

Labelling Single Entity Drugs

Loyalty Points Programs

Medical Directives and the Delegation of Controlled Acts

Operating Internet Sites

Opioid Policy

Restocking of Drugs used for Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) during COVID-19 Policy

Treating Self and Family Members

Virtual Care Policy

Guidelines

Guidelines outline more detail around the expectations of a Standard and relevant legislation and how to apply the Standard and/or legislation to support optimal practice. Guidelines are meant as references to be used alongside, not in place of, the Standards and/or legislation. Operational guidelines outline optimal operations of a pharmacy.

Administering a Substance by Injection or Inhalation

Dispensing Components Included in the Usual and Customary Fee

Documentation Guidelines

Ending the Pharmacist-Patient Relationship

Extending the Beyond-Use Dates for Sterile Preparations

Initiating, Adapting and Renewing Prescriptions

Multi-Medication Compliance Aids

Performing a Procedure on Tissue Below the Dermis Guideline

Professional Obligations when Declining to Provide a Pharmacy Product or Service due to Conscience or Religion

Protecting the Cold Chain

Record Retention, Disclosure, and Disposal

Supervision of Pharmacists (Emergency Assignment) and Pharmacy Technicians (Emergency Assignment) Guideline

Guidance

Guidance provides information that articulates or supports the College’s expectations in practice for topics/areas that are developing or emerging and will likely be changing in the future. They are based on the circumstances and context at the time they are published.

Administration of COVID-19 Vaccine by Pharmacy Professionals

Providing COVID-19 Services in Community Pharmacies

Prescribing and Providing Controlled Substances during the Coronavirus Pandemic

Accreditation and Operation of a Pharmacy

Dispensing or Selling Naloxone

Medical Assistance in Dying

Operation of a Remote Dispensing Location

Frameworks

A conceptual structure intended to support or guide the building of an approach or an objective. It can set out the conditions required to achieve the desired performance or outcome, and often ensures the inclusion of guiding principles in its approach.

Improving the Safety and Security of Controlled Substances in Hospital High Risk Areas

Drug Preparation Premises

Position Statements

Position statements outline the College’s regulatory or policy stance on emerging issues around a specific area of practice. Position statements can change as they are based on the circumstances and context at the time they are published.

Authenticity of Prescriptions using Unique Identifiers for Prescribers

Cannabis Position Statement