- Protecting Patients, Preventing Fraud: A Guide to Detecting Prescription Forgeries
- Registration Now Open for OAT 101: Introduction to Clinical Practice
- Environmental Factors Key Contributor to Manitoba Incidents: NIDR Safety Brief for Community Pharmacies
- Save the Date – CPhM 2024 Annual General Meeting
- Professional Development Opportunities & Upcoming Events
Protecting Patients, Preventing Fraud: A Guide to Detecting Prescription Forgeries
Prescription forgeries are on the rise, and it is important for all pharmacy staff to be alert.
Prescription forgeries continue to be presented to pharmacies in person, but CPhM is receiving more reports of forgeries being faxed or called in over the phone.
Identifying Forged Prescriptions
Prescription forgeries take various forms, from handwritten alterations and photocopies to sophisticated electronic manipulations. It’s crucial for pharmacy staff to objectively review all prescriptions for potential signs of forgery.
Faxed Prescriptions
Look out for:
- Incorrect or missing clinic information on the prescription header.
- Discrepancies between the fax number and the registered clinic/prescriber.
- Absence of a fax cover sheet or confidentiality statement.
- Inconsistencies in the prescriber’s signature or template.
Verbal Prescriptions
Be cautious if:
- The individual providing the verbal order cannot provide identifying details about the clinic or prescriber.
Prescriptions Presented in Person
Watch for:
- Signs of tampering such as white-out, overwriting, or smudging.
- Lack of ink signature or discrepancies in the prescriber’s signature or template.
- Unusual quantities or dosage patterns.
All Prescriptions
Pay attention to:
- Spelling errors, unusual abbreviations, or inappropriate terminology.
- Abnormal quantities or dosage instructions.
- Inconsistencies in formatting or evidence of presentation at multiple pharmacies.
Responding to Suspected Forgeries
If a forgery is suspected:
- Retain the prescription. If the individual requests the prescription back, take a photocopy (if possible) and comply with their request.
- Contact the prescriber for verification.
If a forgery is confirmed:
- Inform the police.
- A record must be maintained when refusing to fill a prescription. If refusing to fill a drug on the M3P schedule, it must also be documented on DPIN. In the case of forgeries, it is also recommended to document non-M3P drugs on DPIN as well. More information on documenting a refusal to fill on DPIN can be found here.
A record must be maintained when refusing to fill a prescription. If refusing to fill a drug on the M3P schedule, it must also be documented on DPIN. In the case of forgeries, it is also recommended to document non-M3P drugs on DPIN as well. More information on documenting a refusal to fill on DPIN can be found here.
Registration Now Open for OAT 101: Introduction to Clinical Practice
Registration is now open for the next offering of Opioid Agonist Therapy (OAT) 101 – Introduction to Clinical Practice, taking place on Oct. 3 and 4, 2024 in Winnipeg, MB. The workshop is generally offered annually. More information can be found on the University of Manitoba Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Medicine program registration page: Opioid Agonist Therapy – Introduction to Clinical Practice Oct 3 and 4 2024 – REGISTER HERE
If you are unable to attend the October 2024 workshop but are interested in registering for a future offering of OAT 101, please email Ana.Mullen@umanitoba.ca to be added to the wait list.
Currently, any pharmacy providing methadone for OAT must have at least one extensively knowledgeable pharmacist that has completed OAT 101. The pharmacist with specialized training at a pharmacy is responsible for training all pharmacists who will be dispensing methadone. Pharmacists dispensing buprenorphine/naloxone for OAT or who are interested in learning more about opioid use disorder are also encouraged to complete this course.
For more information on the training requirements, please review the Opioid Agonist Therapy Guidelines for Manitoba Pharmacists Resource Library | College of Pharmacists of Manitoba (cphm.ca).
Environmental Factors Key Contributor to Manitoba Incidents: NIDR Safety Brief for Community Pharmacies
Environmental factors including workload, interruptions and staffing deficiencies lead the contributing factors reported by Manitoba community pharmacies to the National Incident Data Repository (NIDR) for Community Pharmacies hosted by ISMP Canada. The most recent Safety Brief from ISMP Canada provides prevention measures your pharmacy can take to reduce the chances of patient harm related to interruptions.
The Safety IQ Academy has additional resources to assist pharmacy professionals with environmental factors. Please view the following Safety IQ Blog articles:
Managing External Pressures in the Pharmacy to Reduce Incidents and Harm
From Stress to Safety: Addressing Understaffing’s Role in Medication Incidents
In the spirit of knowledge dissemination and shared learning, the NIDR Safety Brief for April – September 2023 includes:
- Number of incidents received by the NIDR.
- Top five types of incidents reported.
- Top 5 contributing factors reported.
- Medication safety tips to reduce interruptions.
The Manitoba Safety Brief is your report data in action. Use it as a tool to talk about medication incidents, near-miss events, and potential improvements in your pharmacy.
Your reports to the NIDR matter. Each report you submit is also an opportunity to improve your pharmacy practice. Each report you submit is a contribution to provincial, national, and international learning about medication incidents and near-miss events.
Thank you for your commitment to continuous quality improvement (CQI). Visit SafetyIQ.Academy for more tools and information to support CQI in your pharmacy.
Save the Date – CPhM 2024 Annual General Meeting
Join us for a significant milestone as the College of Pharmacists of Manitoba hosts its 146th Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, starting at 7:00 p.m.
We encourage all attendees to familiarize themselves with the documents in the AGM meeting package before the meeting. This package encompasses the recently published Annual Report, providing insights into our activities and achievements over the past year and the financial statements outlining our fiscal standing.
AGM Meeting package:
How to Participate:
Given the virtual nature of the event, the AGM will be conducted via webinar. To ensure seamless access, registration in advance is mandatory. Secure your spot by clicking on the registration link below:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/8317116427054/WN_0pLZ0wVyQHCo3IRe-Qxe0w#/registration
Professional Development Opportunities & Upcoming Events
Targeting Social Isolation Together E-Modules
To register for the self-paced e-modules and for further information click here.
This learning activity provides information on the health impacts of social isolation and loneliness.
The e-module and Quiz take about 45-60 minutes to complete, and participants obtain a statement of completion.
2.0 accredited CEU.
Medical Examiner PD Webinar – Engaging Patients with Care: Tapering, Brief Interventions, and Substance Use Insights
- Click here to view the live event recording.
- 1.5 accredited CEU.
Lessons from Complaints: A Series on Injection-Related Best Practices Part 1: Best Practices Review for Pharmacists & Part 2: Trends in Injection-Related Complaints
Click here to view the recordings.
Each is 0.75 accredited CEU.
Managing Drug Shortages in Pediatric Patients
Click here to view the recording.
0.75 accredited CEU.