Notice: The CPhM phone system is currently in transition. We encourage the public, registrants, and other stakeholders to email info@cphm.ca with their phone number if they would like a call back, instead of leaving a phone message at this time.

February 13, 2025

Friday Five (February 14, 2025)

The February 14, 2025 edition of the Friday Five is now available.

  1. Now Available: 2025 Mandatory Professional Development Webinar Recording 
  2. Call for Applications for 2025 Council Appointments 
  3. Pharmacy Manager Training Program 
  4. Order Amending the Supplementary Rules Respecting Nicotine Replacement Therapies
  5. Career Opportunity: Complaints Investigator – Part Time, Permanent 
  6. CPhM Office Closure Notice 
  7. Professional Development Opportunities & Upcoming Events 

Now Available: 2025 Mandatory Professional Development Webinar Recording 

Pharmacists have an obligation to provide patient-centered care and counseling that meets the diverse needs of all individuals, including 2SLGBTQ+ patients. To support this, the recording of Advancing Equity in Pharmacy: Supporting Gender Diversity and 2SLGBTQ+ Patients is now available for viewing in the Registrant Portal. To access it, please log into your Registrant Portal and click the following link: https://cphm.alinityapp.com/Client/PersonGroup/OpenDoc/1000073?ts=20250211023347. 

This webinar, recorded on February 5, 2025, is required viewing for all pharmacy professionals by October 31, 2025, and is accredited for 1.5 CEUs. 

Learning Objectives: 

  • Understand the distinctions between sex assigned at birth, gender identity, gender expression, attraction, and cultural identities. 
  • Recognize systems of oppression and the unique challenges faced by gender-diverse individuals.   
  • Develop practical skills and communication strategies for interacting with 2SLGBTQ+ patients and colleagues. 
  • Learn how to implement inclusive policies and practices in pharmacy settings. 

Note on Counselling and Ensuring Patient Safety: 

Regardless of indication, the Manitoba Pharmaceutical Regulation and associated Practice Directions require all pharmacists to provide patient counselling and ensure patient safety in the delivery of pharmacy care, and must occur for every prescription dispensed, whether new or a refill. Pharmacists must tailor counselling to each patient’s unique circumstances, including their health status and prior understanding of their condition and medication. 

For more information, please refer to the Regulation and the Patient Counselling Practice Direction and Ensuring Patient Safety Practice Direction.  

Additional Resources: 

To support ongoing learning, pharmacy professionals are encouraged to review key guidance and learning opportunities, including: 

Call for Applications for 2025 Council Appointments 

The CPhM Appointments Committee invites applications to fill two pharmacist positions on Council.  These positions will both be for a 3-year term: June 2025 to May 2028. 

Between February 14, 2025, and March 17, 2025, pharmacists who wish to serve a term on Council are encouraged to apply.    

CPhM is the governing body responsible for setting the strategic direction of the organization and ensuring that CPhM achieves its mandate to uphold the public interest in regulating the practice of pharmacy.     

The Council consists of members of the public appointed by the Minister and pharmacy professionals appointed by the CPhM Appointments Committee.    

In 2024, the CPhM Council adopted a revised bylaw package with corresponding supporting policies, that reform the framework by which CPhM governance is conducted. As part of this reform, CPhM has moved to appoint, rather than elect, pharmacy professionals to Council. For additional information about the CPhM governance framework please see https://cphm.ca/about-the-college/professionalregulation/.   

To apply, please review the application information, complete the online application form, and submit your resume, by email, to info@cphm.ca by 4:00 p.m. on March 17, 2025.   

Thank you for your kind attention to this matter. If you require clarification or assistance regarding an application to be considered for an appointment to Council, please contact info@cphm.ca.     

Pharmacy Manager Training Program 

The College of Pharmacists of Manitoba (CPhM) introduced the Pharmacy Manager Training Program to support pharmacy managers in meeting their regulatory and operational responsibilities. The program was created, on recommendation from the Complaints Committee, to address emerging trends which had potential to result in significant practice issues.  The program targets pharmacy managers’ ability to meet regulatory and operational responsibilities, such as proper supervision, handling medication incidents properly, and pharmacy security, which all contribute to ensuring safe pharmacy service delivery and facility operations. 

To help pharmacy managers navigate these responsibilities with confidence, CPhM developed a comprehensive educational program that provides consistent training on key aspects of pharmacy management. The program consists of nine modules, offers 25 Continuing Education Units (CEUs), and must be completed within one year. 

Rather than a reactive, punitive approach to complaint issues, the program provides consistent training to ensure managers have the knowledge to uphold standards of patient care and regulatory compliance. While we recognize that completing the program requires time and effort, it ensures pharmacy managers, regardless of experience, have a strong foundation to support safe and effective pharmacy practice in this key leadership role. CPhM remains committed to providing guidance and resources to help registrants succeed, thus upholding the public interest. 

For more information and to access the FAQ, visit: https://cphm.ca/pharmacy-manager-training-program/. 

Order Amending the Supplementary Rules Respecting Nicotine Replacement Therapies

Health Canada has issued an amendment to extend the transition period for certain labelling and packaging requirements for nicotine replacement therapies (NRTs). NRTs labelled in accordance with the Natural Health Products Regulations before November 28, 2025, can now continue to be sold until their expiration date, even if they do not comply with sections 14 to 16 and 20 to 23 of the Order.

This includes NRTs that do not meet the following labelling requirements:

  • Including a bilingual statement on intended use (for ages 18+) on the outer or inner label.
  • Displaying the warnings: “Nicotine is highly addictive” / “La nicotine crée une forte dépendance” on the principal display panel.
  • Prohibiting flavour names on labels that misrepresent the actual flavour of the NRT or uses descriptive or qualifying terms.
  • Prohibiting flavour names that imply flavours like candy, desserts, or energy drinks if the NRT is on the List of NRT Dosage Forms that may be Accessible for Self-selection by Purchasers or Consumers (the List), OR, use any flavour or flavour name other than “mint,” “menthol,” or a combination thereof for products not on the List.

For further details, please visit the Government of Canada’s website.  Any inquiries regarding the new NRT regulations can be directed to Health Canada at nnhpd.consultation-dpsnso@hc-sc.gc.ca.

Career Opportunity: Complaints Investigator – Part Time, Permanent 

The College of Pharmacists of Manitoba is presently in search of a permanent, part-time Complaints Investigator. This individual must be able to work independently in a self-directed environment while also having the ability to effectively collaborate with other staff. Assets include prior experience working in a regulatory environment, and a working knowledge of health- professions legislation. 

For a complete description of the duties, qualifications, and required attributes for this position, and to apply, view the on-line posting: https://www.fitzii.com/apply/91571  

Applications will be reviewed from all sources as received until the position is filled.    

The College values diversity and inclusion and encourages all qualified people to apply.  

CPhM Office Closure Notice 

Please be advised that the CPhM office will be closed on Monday, February 17, 2025.   

Regular office hours resume on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.   

Professional Development Opportunities & Upcoming Events 

2025 Mandatory Professional Development – Advancing Equity in Pharmacy: Supporting Gender Diversity and 2SLGBTQ+ Patients 

Pharmacy professionals who were unable to attend the 2025 mandatory continuing education webinar on February 5, 2025, can view the recording by clicking here.