- Celebrating Pride Month: The Role of Pharmacy Professionals in Supporting 2SLGBTQ+ Communities
- Continuing Competency Matters
- Clarification on Pharmacists Interpreting Patient Self-Administered Automated Tests in Manitoba
- Important Update: CPhM Office Relocation
- Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC) Qualifying Examination Blueprints Survey
- Professional Development Opportunities & Upcoming Events
Celebrating Pride Month: The Role of Pharmacy Professionals in Supporting 2SLGBTQ+ Communities
Pride Month is a time to celebrate the 2SLGBTQ+ community but also serves as a reminder of the ongoing work needed to create inclusive spaces and remove barriers in all aspects of life, including healthcare.
The College of Pharmacists of Manitoba (CPhM) recognizes the importance of providing equitable, inclusive care to 2SLGBTQ+ communities. Pharmacy professionals are in a unique position as they are often the first point of contact for individuals seeking healthcare advice and services. By fostering an environment of acceptance and understanding, we can help address these disparities and ensure that all individuals receive the care and respect they deserve.
Learning Opportunities:
To further enhance your knowledge and skills in providing inclusive care, we encourage you to take advantage of the following accredited learning activities:
- Providing 2SLGBTQIA+ Inclusive Care at Your Pharmacy
- CPhM 2025 Mandatory Professional Development Webinar- Advancing Equity in Pharmacy: Supporting Gender Diversity and 2SLGBTQ+ Patients: This webinar is accredited for 1.5 CEUs and is required viewing for all Manitoba pharmacy professionals by October 31, 2025.
Other Resources:
- 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
- Shared Health Manitoba – Pronouns, 2SLGBTQQIA+ & Health Care Leading Practice Guide
Creating a Welcoming Environment:
- Display 2SLGBTQ+ inclusive signs and symbols in your pharmacy to signal that it is a safe space.
- Ensure that all staff use inclusive language and respect patients’ preferred names and pronouns. Please refer to the CPhM and Rainbow Resource Centre Patient Profiles Terminology document for more information on appropriate terminology and the CPhM resource document on providing care to transgender and gender diverse persons.
- Resources:
- Canadian Pharmacists Association – 10 Actions for creating an inclusive pharmacy space
- Canadian Healthcare Network – What does it mean to be a 2SLGBTQI+ friendly pharmacy? (Login or create a free Canadian Healthcare Network account to access)
Pride Month is a celebration of diversity and inclusion but also a reminder of the ongoing efforts needed to ensure equitable healthcare for all. As pharmacy professionals, you have a significant role in promoting and delivering inclusive care. By educating ourselves, creating welcoming environments, advocating for health equity, committing to providing compassionate, inclusive care to all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, and engaging with the community, we can build a more inclusive and equitable healthcare system.
Continuing Competency Matters
On May 28, 2025, the College of Pharmacists of Manitoba’s (CPhM) Quality Assurance Committee held its first meeting with Dr. Nancy Winslade, CPhM’s Continuing Competency Consultant.
The Committee discussed the challenges practitioners from a range of health profession face as they aim to provide quality care throughout their careers. The conversation focused on the types of Continuing Competency Programs that can support practitioners in their efforts.
Guided by the principles of Empowering Pharmacists, Competence that Counts, the Committee also explored additional principles including:
- CPhM and pharmacists are not alone in their need to modify their Continuing Competency Program as all regulated health professions in Manitoba face the same requirements of the Regulated Health Professions Act (RHPA).
- Shared Health’s definition of quality care provides a strong foundation for shaping what quality pharmacist and pharmacy team care means in Manitoba.
- Relying on this province-wide definition aligns pharmacist’s practice quality with that of the other regulated health professions, ensuring a common goal and purpose of care.
The discussion emphasized the need for Continuing Competency Programs to support pharmacists’ use of their daily practice experiences to guide learning. It also acknowledged system-level factors, such as workload, staffing, and evolving expectations, that can influence a competent pharmacist’s capacity to perform to their fullest ability in daily practice.
To build on this work, a sub-group of the Committee will meet over the summer to review best practices in Continuing Competency Programs from across Canada and around the world. These findings will help inform potential future directions for CPhM’s program.
As this work progresses, registrant feedback will be a priority. Watch future editions of Friday Fives and Continuing Competency Matters for updates and opportunities to get involved.
Clarification on Pharmacists Interpreting Patient Self-Administered Automated Tests in Manitoba
CPhM has been asked whether pharmacists in Manitoba can physically insert continuous glucose monitoring devices, such as the Freestyle Libre or Dexcom sensors, for patients.
Under the current legislative framework, there is no provision that would allow a pharmacist to perform the insertion of these devices. Pharmacists are, however, encouraged to play a supportive role by educating and guiding patients through the insertion process. This includes providing clear instructions and demonstrations, so that patients can confidently and safely apply the sensors themselves.
This approach maintains appropriate professional boundaries while ensuring patients receive the support they need to manage their care effectively.
Important Update: CPhM Office Relocation
We are pleased to share an important update regarding the future workspace of the College of Pharmacists of Manitoba (CPhM).
Following a decision by CPhM Council and in response to the evolving needs of the organization, CPhM has sold its current property at 200 Tache Avenue and will be relocating to a new office at 210 Commerce Drive, Winnipeg.
The new location is designed to support a modern and collaborative regulatory environment and will be shared with other Manitoba health regulatory bodies. This move reflects CPhM’s long-term commitment to regulatory excellence, financial sustainability, and modernization. It will enable greater operational flexibility and foster meaningful collaboration across regulators, while preserving CPhM’s independent mandate.
The transition to the new location is scheduled for the summer of 2025. Additional information will be shared once the relocation is complete.
CPhM Council and staff appreciate your understanding and support during this time of change.
Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC) Qualifying Examination Blueprints Survey
The following information is shared on behalf of Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC).
PEBC is surveying the importance of entry-to-practice competencies for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians that are essential for public protection. The survey results will help revise the PEBC Qualifying Examination blueprints, maintaining the validity and relevance of the exams for assessing the competence of entry-to-practice pharmacists and pharmacy technicians.
The survey is open to practising pharmacy professionals in Canada and all responses are confidential. Upon completion of the survey, an optional draw is available for a chance to win one of ten prizes of $100 each. PEBC will also make a monetary donation to the Canadian Mental Health Association for each survey completed.
Please click here to access the survey until June 20, 2025.
Professional Development Opportunities & Upcoming Events
University of Manitoba 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.
2025 Mandatory Professional Development – Advancing Equity in Pharmacy: Supporting Gender Diversity and 2SLGBTQ+ Patients
Pharmacy professionals who were unable to attend the live webinar on February 5, 2025, must view a recording of the 2025 mandatory continuing education session by clicking here.
Optimizing Prescription Writing: Essentials and Updates in 30 Minutes
- Click here to access the prerecorded webinar
- 1.0 CEU