- Office Relocation Update: Submissions and Deliveries
- Continuing Competency Matters
- CPhM Hospital Standards and Guidelines (2004) Overhaul
- Report, Learn, Act: National Incident Data Repository for Community Pharmacies National Snapshot
- Registration is Now Open for the 2025/26 Vaccine Preventable Respiratory Illnesses Immunization Program
- ISMP Updated Dangerous Abbreviations, Symbols, and Dose Designations List
- Professional Development Opportunities & Upcoming Events
Office Relocation Update: Submissions and Deliveries
As a reminder, effective July 18, 2025, all CPhM operations have transitioned to the new office at the Center for Professional Regulatory Collaboration (CPRC), located at 210 Commerce Drive.
We kindly ask that all submissions and correspondence be sent by email whenever possible, as this remains the preferred method of communication. However, if required, items can now be delivered or mailed to 210 Commerce Drive, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3P 2W1.
Thank you for your continued cooperation as we complete the transition to the new location.
Continuing Competency Matters
The Subgroup of CPhM’s Quality Assurance (QA) Committee recently met to review the requirements and supporting evidence for various models of continuing competency programs.
Consistent with recent presentations to the QA Committee and CPhM Council, the Subgroup supported the use of a widely accepted definition of competency:
The habitual and judicious use of communications, knowledge, technical skills, clinical reasoning, emotions, values and reflection in daily practice for the benefit of the individual and community being served. (i)
This definition reinforces the importance of pharmacy professionals performing safely and effectively in their day-to-day practice. Subgroup feedback also emphasized that the Continuing Competency Program (CCP) should focus on supporting registrants in improving the quality of their daily practice, rather than solely ensuring all registrants meet minimum requirements.
This shift allows all pharmacy professionals to engage in meaningful practice improvement, rather than concentrating efforts on identifying those few who may not meet practice standards. With this direction in mind, the QA Subgroup summarized its task as ‘recommending a revised CCP that assures the continuous improvement in the quality of pharmacist’s performance in daily practice’.
This work is part of the ongoing development of a CCP that aligns with CPhM’s regulatory mandate while supporting pharmacy professionals. The Subgroup will continue to explore options that balance meaningful improvement, with future updates to come as work progresses.
i. Epstein RM, Hundert EM. Defining and Assessing Professional Competence. JAMA. 2002;287(2):226.
CPhM Hospital Standards and Guidelines (2004) Overhaul
The College of Pharmacists of Manitoba (CPhM) is pleased to announce a project to develop an up-to-date practice direction for hospitals.
The current Hospital Standards of Practice and Guidelines on Practice in Hospital Pharmacy, approved by Council in 2004, was created to establish practice expectations in hospital pharmacies, thus mitigating risk to patients. Since then, hospital pharmacy practice has evolved significantly. Over the same period, CPhM’s regulatory framework has also evolved to improve oversite of pharmacy practice and better ensure safe, ethical care in hospitals.
The Hospital Standards of Practice and Guidelines, is outdated and requires review and updates to reflect current practice and quality care needs. This work is consistent with CPhM’s established policy review cycle and commitment to providing pharmacy professionals with the tools and resources necessary to deliver high-quality pharmacy care.
CPhM has engaged Dr. Katrina Mulherin, BSc. Pharm, Pharm D, of Windpharm Consulting to lead the Hospital Pharmacy Practice Direction (HPD) project. Dr. Mulherin has advanced clinical skills, acquired during postgraduate studies and practice experience in Neonatal Intensive Care (NICU). Having served as Deputy Registrar with the College of Pharmacists of New Brunswick, she has extensive regulatory leadership experience and a firm understanding of the regulation of pharmacy practice. This background helps Dr. Mulherin understand the importance of using evidence-based decision-making to support the development of strong, clear pharmacy standards focused on public safety.
Dr. Mulherin has begun the initial stage of the HPD project, scanning and gathering information and evidence. In October 2025, pharmacy professionals will be invited to contribute to a Needs Assessment by electronic questionnaire, and participate in focus groups to provide feedback. Input from across all practice settings, including community, hospital and other sectors, as well as from direct patient care providers and leadership roles, will be essential. Diverse, detailed, personal perspectives will help frame the resulting practice direction aimed to be practical, responsive, and reflective of current realities in hospital pharmacy.
CPhM’s Professional Practice Committee (PPC) will meet with Dr. Mulherin to provide feedback and input over the course of the project as well. Input from leaders in Manitoba’s healthcare system will also be collected.
Stay tuned for future updates, findings, and opportunities to get involved through communications channels including the Friday Five, and quarterly newsletters.
Report, Learn, Act: National Incident Data Repository for Community Pharmacies National Snapshot
In July 2025, the Institute for Safe Medication Practices Canada (ISMP Canada) released its latest National Incident Data Repository for Community Pharmacies (NIDR) National Snapshot, offering insights into medication incident trends across Canadian Provinces.
From January 1 to December 31, 2024, more than 26,000 incident reports were submitted by over 1,700 community pharmacies in participating provinces, a 6% increase from 2023. This rise reflects the growing culture of safety and transparency within the profession.
The most frequently reported issue in both non-harm and harm-related events was “incorrect dose/frequency”. Contributing factors included:
- Environmental, staffing, or workflow problems
- Staff education problem
- Drug name, label, packaging problem
By recognizing these contributing factors, pharmacy teams can focus on practical improvements that reduce the risk of patient harm.
This report and other resources published by ISMP Canada would not be possible without the contributions of pharmacy professionals like you. Your commitment to sharing data with the NIDR ensures that health care professionals across Canada learn from medication incident and near-miss events. We all benefit from raised awareness of potential risks and simple improvements that can reduce the chances of patient harm in community pharmacy practice.
For more information about the actions you can take to improve pharmacy practice today, visit the Safety IQ Academy Blog. If you have questions about Safety IQ, please contact us by email at safetyiq@cphm.ca.
Registration is Now Open for the 2025/26 Vaccine Preventable Respiratory Illnesses Immunization Program
Manitoba Health, Seniors, and Long-Term Care (MHSLC) has opened registration for the 2025/26 Vaccine Preventable Respiratory Illnesses Immunization Program.
All pharmacies interested in receiving influenza and COVID-19 vaccines from provincial stock must complete registration. To ensure the most up to date contact information, even previously registered providers must complete the registration process again.
Providers are strongly encouraged to register by August 15, 2025, to ensure timely access to communications, vaccine allocation, and inclusion in early distribution.
For more information and to register, please visit https://www.getrave.ca/content/6955713/d70eecd7-8e66-4fbe-978a-40c1b80248e9/40218d9b-b435-4432-9e37-8a9c47995235/Registration_for_the_Vaccine_Preventable_Respiratory_Illnesses_Immunization_Program_July_15_2025.pdf
ISMP Updated Dangerous Abbreviations, Symbols, and Dose Designations List
Using clear and standardized language when communicating medication information is essential in preventing medication errors and supporting patient safety. The Institute for Safe Medication Practices Canada (ISMP Canada) has published an updated list of dangerous abbreviations, symbols, and dose designations that should be avoided in all practice settings.
This updated list builds on previous guidance released in 2006, reflecting on the evolving ways in which medication information is communicated and identifies terms that have been linked to serious and potentially fatal incidents.
The bulletin includes real examples of medication errors, highlights commonly misinterpreted abbreviations, and offers practical strategies to reduce their use in prescribing, documentation, and communication.
ISMP Canada encourages healthcare professionals to review the updated list and integrate the recommendations into practice. Reducing the use of unsafe abbreviations is a key step in improving medication safety and minimizing risk to patients.
To read the full bulletin and learn how to improve safety, visit: Do Not Use: Dangerous Abbreviations, Symbols, and Dose Designations 2025 Update – ISMP Canada
Professional Development Opportunities & Upcoming Events
Optimizing Prescription Writing: Essentials and Updates in 30 Minutes
- Click here to access the prerecorded webinar
- 1.0 CEU
University of Manitoba College of Pharmacy’s Essentials in Advanced Patient Care for Pharmacists Micro-Certificate Program
Interested pharmacists can visit the program website for detailed information and to begin the application process. For further inquiries, please email PharmacyPD@umanitoba.ca.
2025 Mandatory Professional Development – Advancing Equity in Pharmacy: Supporting Gender Diversity and 2SLGBTQ+ Patients
Pharmacy professionals who were unable to attend the live webinar on February 5, 2025, must view a recording of the 2025 mandatory continuing education session by clicking here.