COVID-19 Vaccine Resources
As Manitoba receives its first shipments of the COVID-19 vaccine, questions about the vaccine’s safety and efficacy are circulating. A recent survey published by the Association for Canadian Studies in June 2020 showed that while 68 percent of Canadians intend on getting the COVID-19 vaccine when it’s available, 16 percent said they would not, with the remaining indicating that they are unsure. Vaccine hesitancy has been on the rise across Canada and globally over the past several months.
Pharmacists are well-positioned to educate the public and the following resources, in addition to new resources that may become available, may be helpful:
- Province of Manitoba COVID-19 vaccines Manitoba Health Resources and Forms – COVID-19 Vaccine Factsheet
- Government of Canada – Drug and vaccine authorizations for COVID-19
- Centre for Effective Practice – COVID-19 Vaccines (please note some of this information may be specific to Ontario)
- National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) Recommendations on the use of COVID-19 Vaccine(s)
- Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) Canada’s COVID-19 immunization plan
- Recorded webinar: Association of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Disease Canada COVID-19 Vaccine Foundations for Health Care Providers
- Recorded webinar: Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) – Recommendations of the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) on the use of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine
If any pharmacist is interested in applying to participate in the province’s COVID-19 immunization campaign according to the Ministerial Order, please visit the following website https://manitoba.ca/covid19/vaccine/jobs.html for more information and to see all positions available.
Update on Naloxone Frequently Asked Questions
On Dec. 15, 2020, the College advised all pharmacy professionals of the regulation amendment introduced to increase public access to naloxone products indicated for emergency use during opioid overdose. For more information, please visit the College website here.
The College has updated its Naloxone: Frequently Asked Questions for Pharmacists document to reflect the most recent changes.
Further, the naloxone category of the College Resource Library provides additional patient and pharmacy professional resources on naloxone.
Clarification Regarding Compounded Nasal and Sinus Preparations Intended for Local Application
On Dec. 23, 2020 Council passed a motion that compounded nasal and sinus preparations (e.g. nasal sprays, nasal irrigation) that are intended for local application are distinct from compounded sterile preparations of nasal inhalation solutions that are intended for delivery to the lungs as included in the NAPRA Model Standards for Pharmacy Compounding of Non-Hazardous Sterile Preparations. Where appropriate, compounded nasal and sinus preparations (e.g. nasal sprays, nasal irrigation) that are intended for local application can be prepared in a nonsterile environment, following the NAPRA Model Standards for Pharmacy Compounding of Non-Sterile Preparations. Please note that when compounding these nasal preparations deemed as non-sterile, compliance with the NAPRA Model Standards for Pharmacy Compounding of Non-sterile Preparations and Guidance Document is expected.
Included in this expectation, in part, is compliance with the following general guidance on whether to compound a preparation:
- Are the active ingredients already available in a manufactured product?
- Do you have a referenced formulation?
- Do you have the beyond-use date (BUD) and relevant stability data?
- Do you have a dedicated space for compounding that is clean and uncluttered?
- Do you have the appropriate equipment and ingredients to make the compounded preparation?
- Are your pharmacy personnel competent to perform compounding of the preparation?
- Can your pharmacy personnel compound the preparation without interruption?
- Should you refer this compounded preparation to another pharmacy with appropriate facilities, equipment and expertise?
For more information on compounding, please see the College Pharmacy Compounding Standards page.
College Introduces New Quality Assurance and Field Officer
The College of Pharmacists of Manitoba welcomes Mr. Kevin Chaboyer to the staff in the position of Quality Assurance and Field Officer.
Kevin has worked as a community pharmacist for the past five years and brings exemplary knowledge and experience to the position.
He will work closely with other staff conducting inspections and responding to practice enquiries. Kevin is eager to immerse himself in the role and make a meaningful contribution to the College.
Survey from the University of Manitoba, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences
The Colleges of Nursing, Pharmacy, Rehabilitation Sciences and Medicine at the University of Manitoba are conducting a study to better understand how health services is being delivered to refugees in Manitoba, and more specifically to learn more about health care providers’ current knowledge on interprofessional collaborative health care services to refugees. Here is their introduction letter.
In order to capture the input of more healthcare providers, the survey is extended until Jan. 29, 2021.
All licensed health professionals in medicine, nursing, pharmacy and physiotherapy are invited to participate in the anonymous survey that will inform future projects on the delivery of refugee health.
To participate or learn more, please click here.
If you have any questions, comments or concerns that you wish to bring to the research team, you can email Dr. Lynn Scruby at Lynn.Scruby@umanitoba.ca
CPhM Office Holiday Message
As we move into a new year, we wish you peace, joy, safe connections with family and friends, and the hope for a bright future.
We are grateful to you for your steadfast commitment to quality care and service to your patients, during what has proved to be one of the most challenging years in recent history. Your diligence and determination, across practice settings, to make significant contributions to health care and meet the needs of your patients has been inspiring.
On behalf of the College of Pharmacists of Manitoba,
Happy Holidays!
The College Pharmacists of Manitoba will observe the following holiday schedule:
Open: Thursday, [KM2] Dec. 24, 2020 — 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon
Closed: 12:00 noon Thursday, Dec. 24 through Monday, Dec. 28, 2020
Open: Tuesday, Dec. 29 and Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2020 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Closed: 12:00 noon Thursday, Dec. 31, 2020 through Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021
Regular office hours resume Monday, Jan. 4, 2021, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Please be reminded that the CPhM Office remains closed to visitors and continues to operate as a virtual office due to the COVID-19 pandemic. All services continue, however adjustments in service delivery and delays may occur.
Documents may be left in the black deposit box to the left of the main office entrance.
Email is the most efficient means by which to contact staff.