- Naloxone Reminder
- EPPh Ad-Hoc Committee Final Recommendations
- COVID-19 Vaccine Supply Update
- Reminder to Registrants: Make Profile Updates
- Office Closure
- Professional Development Opportunities & Upcoming Events
Naloxone Reminder
Naloxone is a life-saving drug that can temporarily reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. Access to Naloxone is critical to preserving the lives of hundreds of Manitobans and your pharmacy has a role to play. As stated in the Canadian National Consensus Guidelines for Naloxone Prescribing by Pharmacists, all patients receiving an opioid should be dispensed a take-home naloxone kit and counselled by the pharmacist on proper use.
Individuals who may benefit from a take home naloxone (THN) kit include:
- All individuals who use opioids, both prescription and non-prescription, for legitimate medical purposes and for recreational purposes;
- Individuals identified by the above group as the person most likely to be present if they were to overdose (e.g., partners, family, friends, roommates); and
- Any person who knows an opioid user and would like to be prepared in the event of an accidental overdose.
Naloxone products packaged for use in opioid overdose are unscheduled in Manitoba. Free take-home naloxone kits are available to members of the public who are at risk of opioid overdose, and family or friends who may witness opioid toxicity. Please visit Manitoba Health’s Take-Home Naloxone Distribution Program webpage for more information on the program and for instructions on how to register as a distribution site: Take-Home Naloxone Distribution Program | Health | Province of Manitoba (gov.mb.ca)
Naloxone (including intranasal form) may be covered by third party plans, and is available for free for First Nations and Inuit clients covered by the Federal Non-Insured Health Benefits Program. Please be reminded that as an unscheduled product, pharmacists can prescribe these products in order for patients to be eligible for third party coverage. Note all prescribing requirements are applicable. Please refer to the coverage provider for more information on reimbursement requirements.
Recommendations from the EPPh Consultation Review Ad-Hoc Committee
In September 2021, a consultation was sent to all pharmacists to identify barriers and enablers for the Extended Practice Pharmacist (EPPh) designation. In response, CPhM Council created the EPPh Consultation Review Ad-Hoc Committee to review the feedback and provide recommendations to reduce barriers within the current legislative framework while ensuring patient safety and improving outcomes. The Committee concluded its work in April 2024; Council approved the following recommendations on June 24th:
- The previously approved EPPh Quality Assurance (QA) program will not be implemented. EPPhs will continue to participate in the current QA requirements and may be subject to new program requirements that may be implemented when CPhM adopts a continuing competency program.
- EPPhs must complete a minimum 15 PD hours/CEU related to their specialty annually, counting towards the required 25 PD hours. Rigorous PD requirements for EPPhs whose specialties do not require recertification have been removed.
- The requirements of collaborative practice will be reviewed, with updates provided to registrants.
- Access to eChart Manitoba or comparable electronic patient records will be the minimum requirement for patient record access for all EPPh applicants.
- CPhM will re-engage talks with the government to consider the cost of eChart access and public coverage for lab tests ordered by pharmacists, to help ensure equitable access for all patient populations to healthcare services through pharmacists.
The EPPh renewal fee was identified as a potential barrier in the consultation and will be considered by Council at a future date.
Long-term recommendations include revamping the process for lab test ordering and interpretation, and exploring advanced prescribing models in preparation for when CPhM falls under the Regulated Health Professions Act (RHPA).
Previous recommendations implemented can be found in the Friday Five published in December 2023: https://cphm.ca/friday-five/friday-five-december-22-2023/, and September 2023: https://cphm.ca/friday-five/friday-five-september-29-2023/.
CPhM thanks all EPPh Consultation Review Ad-Hoc Committee members for their dedication and valuable contributions.
COVID-19 Vaccine Supply Update
Manitoba Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care has addressed frequent concerns from the public regarding the current availability of COVID-19 vaccines in pharmacies. Public Health reminds pharmacy professionals that the COVID-19 vaccine supply is available upon request for those at highest risk for severe illness.
Important Details:
- COVID-19 immunizations will generally not be available until the fall 2024 influenza and COVID-19 immunization program, except for special circumstances considered on a case-by-case basis. This is to minimize the impact of getting a late COVID-19 vaccine dose on a client’s eligibility for a fall 2024 COVID-19 vaccine.
- COVID-19 vaccines can still be ordered for clients who have received a recommendation from their primary care provider or specialist.
- To request doses needed or if you have any questions, email vaccines@gov.mb.ca.
For full details, please refer to the following letter: https://www.gov.mb.ca/asset_library/en/covidvaccine/letter-to-providers-re-survey-closing-vaccine-finder-removal-etc-april-25-2024.pdf
Reminder to Registrants: Make Profile Updates
In preparation for the renewal period in fall (October 1st to November 15th), the CPhM would like to remind all pharmacy professionals to ensure the information on your registrant profile is up to date.
You are encouraged to enter your learning activities for the current CEU reporting cycle and keep the entries up to date.
Here are some tips to remember when entering learning activities on your registrant profile:
- List each of your learning activities, answer reflection questions, and upload your Statement of Completion/Participation.
- It is highly recommended that you utilize the “SUBMIT” button after 2-3 entries. This will help to avoid losing any information already entered if you are called away and the system automatically times out.
- Manitoba pharmacy professionals must complete the mandatory annual professional development module which is selected each year. You are required to complete the mandatory module to renew your license or listing. For more information and to access the mandatory module for the current PD cycle and past years, please refer to the Announcement section on your registrant portal.
- Although “Part 2: Pharmacy Practice Integration of Indigenous Health Standards”, this year’s mandatory module, must be completed by October 31, 2024, it is highly recommended that you complete it before the start of the renewal period and upload your certificate of completion to your profile.
- If you are new to the pharmacy profession, you are required to complete the current year’s module, along with the previous mandatory PD modules.
- You must maintain copies of all evidence of completion / verification documents for three (3) years and be able to produce these if you are selected for Annual PD Review.
Do not wait until the end of the CEU reporting cycle to complete your Professional Development obligations. When renewal opens in the fall, and you complete your licence or listing renewal, the data management system then closes that practice year. You are not able to add further learning activities or upload evidence of completion documents for the concluding reporting cycle.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact profdevelopment@cphm.ca. Thank you.
CPhM Office Closure Notice
Please be advised that the CPhM office will be closed on Monday, August 5, 2024.
The office will resume regular hours of operation, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., on Tuesday, August 6, 2024.
Professional Development Opportunities & Upcoming Events
2SLGBTQ+ Professional Development:
- CPhA’s Resource Round-up: 2SLGBTQI+ patient health
- Pharmacy Perspective: Providing Safe Spaces Podcast – Affirming Ways People Self-Identify, offered by USask Continuing Pharmacy Education and the Alberta College of Pharmacy
- USask EDI Continuing Education Resources – 2SLGBTQIA+
College of Pharmacy’s Essentials in Advanced Patient Care for Pharmacists Micro-Certificate Program
Interested pharmacists can visit the program website for detailed information and to begin the application process. For further inquiries, please email PharmacyPD@umanitoba.ca.
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
- Click here to complete the Learning Activity Evaluation Form
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 and here to view the recordings.
- Each is 0.75 accredited CEU
- Click here to complete the Learning Activity Evaluation Form
Managing Drug Shortages in Pediatric Patients