Introduction
The College of Pharmacists of Manitoba (CPhM) is committed to enhancing the regulation of pharmacy professionals by transitioning to regulation under The Regulated Health Professions Act (RHPA). As we become governed under the RHPA, CPhM seeks to establish regulation of both pharmacy professions and pharmacies under one college.
Recognizing the need to transition to regulation under the RHPA for both pharmacy technicians and pharmacists, CPhM Council has included this initiative in the current Strategic Plan (2025-2027), as outlined in Strategic Priority 2: Enhancing the regulation of pharmacy professionals.
CPhM Council, as the governing body of listed pharmacy technicians, registered pharmacists, and licenced pharmacies in the province of Manitoba, will oversee the regulatory reform process. Once this is achieved, both pharmacy professions will have better opportunity to contribute to the Manitoba health care system by maximizing their scopes of practice, and providing accessible, effective, and efficient health care service to the citizens of Manitoba.
- Pharmacy Technicians will be established as a regulated health profession under the RHPA. This will include a defined scope of practice, title protection, and obligations to the regulator.
- There will be two similar, but independent, processes, to bring both pharmacy technicians and pharmacists under the RHPA.
- Pharmacy professionals will be able to practice to full scope in Manitoba.
- A name for a newly established college, regulating both professions and pharmacies under the RHPA, will be selected.
What This Means for Pharmacy Professionals
Whether you are a pharmacy technician or a pharmacist, this transition will impact how all pharmacy professionals are regulated. CPhM is committed to providing clear, profession -specific information to help you understand what is changing and how the transition will impact and affect your practice. Overall, the RHPA aims to modernize healthcare regulation, ensuring safe, competent, and inclusive pharmacy practice.
Pharmacy Technicians must be listed with CPhM in order to be eligible to practice in Manitoba under the current legislative framework. Under the RHPA, pharmacy technicians will be fully regulated and will gain professional autonomy and a defined scope of practice.
Pharmacists may gain expanded scope of practice and will be authorized to perform reserved acts specific to the pharmacy profession under the RHPA, based on their individual knowledge, skill and judgement.
Pharmacies, as well, will anticipate regulatory changes as the professions transition under this legislation. Overall, the RHPA aims to modernize healthcare regulations while ensuring safe, competent, and inclusive pharmacy practice.
Regular updates will be published in the Friday Fives, newsletters and sent directly to pharmacy professionals.
Regulatory Reform
CPhM Council will appoint an ad hoc committee to guide the work to establish regulation of both pharmacy professions and pharmacies under the RHPA. The Committee will guide policy development and other work required to establish regulation under the RHPA and will make recommendations to Council.
These actions and decisions will eventually form the legislative framework for pharmacy regulation under the RHPA.
Stay Informed
Learn more about the Regulatory Reform Project and what it means for all pharmacy professionals.
Upcoming Webinar: Register today!
When: Wednesday, September 24, 2025, 7:00 p.m.
Where: Live webinar
Presenters: Leanne Matthes, Project Consultant and Liz Ambrose, Reserved Acts Consultant
Click here to register: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_GkG13RjKRC-vECVvDL-qRg
Key topics of webinar:
- What is the RHPA?
- How does regulation under the RHPA differ from the current single-profession statute?
- What is required to move pharmacy professionals from regulation under the Pharmaceutical Act to regulation under the RHPA?
- How will this affect pharmacy technicians?
A recording of this Information Session will be available on the Regulatory Reform Project webpage for easy access following the event.
CPhM will offer regular updates regarding the Regulatory Reform Project through:
- Webinars
- Website updates
- Friday Five posts
- Email communications
Contact & Feedback
Have questions or feedback? Contact CPhM at info@cphm.ca.