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.
CPhM will offer regular updates regarding the Regulatory Reform Project through:
- Webinars
- Website updates
- Friday Five posts
- Email communications
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the RHPA and why is CPhM transitioning to it?
The Regulated Health Professions Act (RHPA) is a legislative framework that standardizes the regulation of health professions in Manitoba. CPhM’s transition to the RHPA aims to enhance clarity, consistency, and accountability in pharmacy regulation.
Are pharmacy professionals now regulated under the RHPA?
Not yet. CPhM is actively working toward this transition, but the official date has not yet been determined by government. CPhM will ensure that all pharmacy professionals are informed well in advance of the transition to the RHPA.
How will this transition affect pharmacy technicians?
Pharmacy technicians will gain full regulated status in Manitoba under the RHPA with entry-to-practice requirements, profession-specific standards of practice, a continuing competency program, and title protection.
What does this transition mean for pharmacists?
Pharmacists will continue to be regulated professionals; under the RHPA their scope of practice may expand under the reserved acts model. The transition introduces standardized language and expectations across all regulated health professions, promoting consistency and transparency in patient care.
Will there be changes to the registration or licensing process?
Yes, the RHPA introduces updated registration categories and processes that align with other health professions. These changes aim to simplify and clarify requirements for initial registration, renewal, and reinstatement. CPhM will provide detailed guidance and timelines to support registrants before changes go into effect.
How will the public benefit from this transition?
The RHPA enhances public protection by ensuring that all regulated health professionals meet consistent standards of practice, ethics, and accountability. It also improves transparency by making information about professional scopes and complaints processes more consistent across health professions in Manitoba.
What support will CPhM provide during the transition?
CPhM is committed to supporting registrants through regular updates, educational resources, webinars, and direct communication. A dedicated RHPA transition webpage will be available throughout the process.
What are reserved acts and how do they apply to pharmacy professionals?
Reserved acts are specific healthcare tasks that only authorized professionals can perform. In Manitoba, reserved acts are specific healthcare procedures that pose a risk of harm if performed by individuals who are not properly trained or authorized. These acts are legally restricted under The Regulated Health Professions Act (RHPA) and can only be carried out by regulated health professionals who have been granted the authority by their governing college. Examples of reserved acts include administering a substance by injection, prescribing a drug or vaccine, and dispensing or selling a drug or vaccine. The purpose of reserving such acts is to mitigate the risk of harm to patients by ensuring that only qualified health professionals perform tasks that require specialized knowledge, skill, and judgment.
Is it possible for more than one regulated profession to be granted authority to carry out the same reserved acts under the RHPA framework?
Yes. Under the RHPA, reserved acts are not exclusive to a single profession. Multiple professions may be authorized to perform the same reserved act, but only if they meet the necessary education, training, and regulatory standards. The Government of Manitoba determines the specific authorities to perform reserved acts that are granted to each profession, based on the application process that is part of each profession-specific request to be regulated under the RHPA.
Are there limitations to who can perform reserved acts?
While the RHPA allows multiple professions to be authorized to perform the same reserved act, each profession is granted authority to perform a reserved act, according to and limited by its profession-specific scope of practice. There may be limits and conditions placed on how a particular profession may perform a reserved act.
For example, a surgeon may be authorized to perform complex procedures involving tissue below the dermis, while a nurse practitioner may be authorized to perform only minor procedures below the dermis.
Even when a particular profession is granted authority to perform a reserved act, the eligibility to perform that reserved act may be based on the individual registrant’s knowledge, skill and judgement. An individual may require additional education and training prior to engaging in that reserved act.