Tuberculosis Medications Dispensing in Manitoba
Please be advised that all prescriptions for tuberculosis (TB) medications (e.g., isoniazid, rifampin, etc.) provided to community pharmacies must be processed in accordance with the Tuberculosis Protocol by Manitoba Health. Specifically, TB medications for the treatment of active or latent infections must be written on one of the provincial prescription templates (see templates here or here) and sent to one of the appropriate pharmacies specified on the template. This ensures that all medications prescribed for TB indications, which are eligible for provincial Pharmacare coverage, are processed appropriately as per the protocol without out-of-pocket expenses for the patient.
Any pharmacy may fill the prescription if a TB medication is being prescribed for NON-TB indications. Pharmacists are encouraged to contact the prescriber directly to confirm the indication if unsure.
Pharmacists are also encouraged to conduct a DPIN review when filling a prescription for any TB medications to check the dispensing history and to verify the indication. Checking a patient’s DPIN profile should always be part of the process when accepting a transfer from another pharmacy and for new patients.
More information on Manitoba’s TB program and protocol can be found here.
Safety IQ Introduces New SSA and CQI Meeting Resources and Completion Deadlines
As part of the Safety IQ program, pharmacies must report all medication incidents and beneficial near-miss events to the pharmacy’s online reporting platform. By reflecting on and analyzing these events, staff can incorporate changes to improve the safety of their pharmacy.
In addition to reviewing past incidents and near-miss events, Safety IQ emphasizes proactive analysis of pharmacy processes through the completion of a Safety Self-Assessment (SSA) to reduce the chances of patient harm. An SSA is an online tool that can be sourced through Pharmapod or the Institute for Safe Medication Practices Canada. An SSA must be completed within year one of Safety IQ being implemented in an existing or new pharmacy and at least every three years after that.
With the annual Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) meeting requirement, Safety IQ also aims to foster open communication of medication incidents and sharing of medication safety education among pharmacy staff.
During the CQI meeting, pharmacy staff discuss medication safety and improvement and ways to enhance or encourage the use of Safety IQ among the pharmacy team.
The deadline for your pharmacy to complete an SSA and CQI meeting is October 1, 2022, if your pharmacy:
- implemented Safety IQ on the June 1, 2021, program launch date; or
- opened between June 1 and September 31, 2021.
If your pharmacy opened after October 1, 2021, then your team must complete an SSA and CQI meeting within one year of opening.
The College developed the following resources to help managers to complete the SSA and CQI meeting and to help staff understand these
requirements:
The College gave pharmacy managers details about the deadlines for these requirements and supporting resources available to them through direct email communications in March and June 2022.
If you have any questions, please contact the Safety IQ team at safetyiq@cphm.ca
Pharmacy Technician Liaison to Council
The College of Pharmacists of Manitoba (the College) is looking for an individual to fill the role of Pharmacy Technician Liaison to Council.
Council is the governing body of the College and conducts business consistent with the Pharmaceutical Act. This includes approving the programs, assessments, examinations and work experience required for the qualification of pharmacy technicians.
The Pharmacy Technician Liaison is a voluntary position that is open to pharmacy technicians listed or soon to be listed with the College of Pharmacists of Manitoba. As with other liaison members, the Pharmacy Technician Liaison is a non-voting member to Council.
If you are interested in the Pharmacy Technician Liaison position on Council, please return an expression of interest, along with your current CV, to info@cphm.ca by June 10, 2022. Please contact info@cphm.ca should you have any questions regarding this opportunity.
Career Opportunity: Quality Assurance and Field Officer
The College of Pharmacists of Manitoba is presently in search of a Quality Assurance and Field Officer to support quality assurance and improvement programs and conduct site audits.
The successful candidate will provide practice advice to registrants, respond to questions from public and other stakeholders, conduct pharmacy practice audits and contribute to educational materials and guiding documents for public, pharmacists, and pharmacy owners.
This is a full-time permanent position, Monday to Friday, based on a 37.5 – hour workweek.
For a complete description of the duties, qualifications, and required attributes for this position, and to apply, view the on-line posting: https://www.fitzii.com/apply/68591?s=fc
Applications will be reviewed from all sources as received until the position is filled.
The College values diversity and inclusion and encourages all qualified people to apply .
Upcoming Events and Professional Development Opportunities
ISMP Canada Medication Safety Workshops:
Patient Safety Incident Analysis and Proactive Risk Assessment Workshop for Health Care Professionals
June 16-17, 2022
Register here.
Multi-Incident Analysis and Medication Safety Culture Assessment Virtual Workshop
October 1-2, 2022
Register here.
Medication Safety Considerations for Compliance Packaging
Register here.
Preventing and Analyzing Medication Errors
Register here.