Acknowledging National Indigenous History Month
June marks the observance of National Indigenous History Month. During this significant period, the College of Pharmacists of Manitoba (CPhM) urges pharmacy professionals and all Manitobans to take the time to honour and learn about the rich history, diverse heritage, resilience, and contributions of Indigenous peoples in Manitoba and across the nation. It is also a necessary time to reflect upon the tragic legacy and ongoing trauma caused by residential schools, and to pay tribute to the survivors, their families, and communities across Canada who continue to grieve.
At CPhM, we strongly encourage our staff, Council members, pharmacy professionals, and other healthcare practitioners to educate themselves about the social injustices experienced by Indigenous peoples within the healthcare system. By gaining a deeper understanding of the existing inequalities, we can pave the way for positive change.
During National Indigenous History Month, we are reminded of the historical injustices and ongoing challenges faced by Indigenous communities. It is a time to reflect on the need for cultural sensitivity in healthcare and to actively engage in promoting cultural safety and humility.
Cultural safety entails creating an environment where patients feel safe, respected, and understood, free from any form of discrimination or bias. It requires pharmacy professionals to acknowledge the historical and systemic issues that have adversely affected Indigenous communities’ health outcomes. By actively engaging in cultural safety practices, pharmacy professionals can bridge gaps in healthcare access, improve communication, and deliver patient-centered care that aligns with the cultural values, beliefs, and practices of Indigenous patients.
Cultural humility, on the other hand, is a lifelong commitment to self-reflection, learning, and acknowledging one’s own cultural biases and limitations. It involves recognizing that every patient has unique cultural experiences and perspectives that should be valued and incorporated into their care. Pharmacy professionals practicing cultural humility approach each patient encounter with humility, open-mindedness, and a willingness to learn from the patient’s cultural expertise. This approach fosters mutual respect, collaboration, and empowerment, allowing pharmacists to provide personalized and effective care that meets the specific needs of Indigenous patients.
National Indigenous History Month serves as a reminder for everyone to deepen their understanding of Indigenous history, culture, and the ongoing challenges faced by Indigenous communities in accessing equitable healthcare. By incorporating this knowledge into practice, pharmacy professionals can contribute to dismantling systemic barriers, addressing health disparities, and promoting culturally safe and humble care —enabling us to make meaningful contributions to the process of Reconciliation.
To embark on your own path toward Truth and Reconciliation, we recommend the following resources:
CPhM’s Mandatory Continuing Professional Development Webinar 1: Indigenous Health
- Indigenous Health will take place on June 26th, from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m., coinciding with National Indigenous History Month. It explores the history and ongoing effects of colonialism on Indigenous Peoples’ health, resilience, culture, and provides practical learning opportunities and aims to integrate Indigenous health into pharmacy practice. For more information, please refer to the following article in this edition of the Friday Five.
Indigenous Cultural Humility, Health Equity, and Relations Resources (CPhM)
- This resource provides a curated list of materials, events, and programming aimed at promoting cultural humility, health equity, and positive relations.
Webinars – The pharmacy community holds a vital position as a primary gateway to our healthcare system, therefore you must be responsible for ensuring the implementation of culturally safe and patient-centred care. To assist you in your practice, please see the following resources:
- Indigenous Health and Reconciliation in Pharmacy with Dr. Jaris Swidrovich on cultural safety and how pharmacists and the pharmacy profession can respond to the Truth and Reconciliation of Canada’s Calls to Action.
- Understanding the Indigenous Experience from both sides of the Pharmacy Counter, where you’ll learn from a panel of Indigenous pharmacy professionals as they discuss their experiences within the pharmacy community, the role that pharmacists can play in understanding and addressing health disparities facing Indigenous patients and communities and how we can better provide culturally safe, inclusive care.
- Trauma-Informed Care Through an Indigenous Lens by the Indigenous Continuing Education Centre explores the many origins of trauma for Indigenous People and communities. This webinar defines core trauma-informed care concepts and offers strategies for first responders and front-line workers.
Additional resources and learning opportunities can be found on the Government of Canada website:
- Learn more about National Indigenous History Month, its significance, and the activities happening in your community here: https://www.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca/eng/1621447127773/1621447157184
As we navigate towards a more inclusive and culturally sensitive healthcare system, let us remember that our individual journeys of awareness and education contribute to the collective progress of Reconciliation. By dedicating ourselves to this important endeavor, we can build a future that respects the rights, dignity, and health of Indigenous communities across Canada.
Consultation Notice on an Amendment to the Pharmacy Facilities Practice Direction to Require Time-Delayed Safes for the Storage of Controlled Drugs in Community Pharmacies
CPhM seeks input from stakeholders, including pharmacy professionals, pharmacy owners, and the public on the adoption of a requirement for time-delayed narcotic safes in community pharmacies in Manitoba through an amendment to the Pharmacy Facilities Practice Direction. This consultation provides an opportunity for key stakeholders to express their views on this important issue, and their input will inform Council’s final decision-making process.
The Amendment(s)
The proposed amendments to the Pharmacy Facilities Practice Direction are:
- A definition for controlled drugs (as defined by Health Canada).
- A definition for narcotic drugs (as defined by Health Canada).
- Requirement to have an appropriate secure narcotic safe to store all narcotic and controlled drug inventory. With the exception of hospital pharmacy facilities, the narcotic safe must have a time-delay lock set to a minimum of 5 minutes.
- With the exception of hospital pharmacy facilities, a requirement to display Council approved time-delay safe signage at all public entrances and near the dispensary in view of the public.
The Consultation
Council has approved a 30-day consultation period on the draft Practice Direction amendments.
CPhM is committed to an open and transparent consultation process. All comments received will be considered by Council.
The deadline for this consultation is June 16, 2023. To submit your feedback, please complete the following survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/7C87JM6
Save the Date for the Mandatory Continuing Professional Development Webinar 1: Indigenous Health
The College of Pharmacists of Manitoba (CPhM) Council made a motion to approve two mandatory continuing professional development (CPD) learning activities for all pharmacy professionals for the current and following listing/licensing years. CPhM is partnering with the Indigenous Pharmacy Professionals of Canada (IPPC) to offer two mandatory continuing professional development webinars.
The first webinar, Indigenous Health, will take place on June 26th, from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m., coinciding with National Indigenous History Month. It explores the history and ongoing effects of colonialism on Indigenous Peoples’ health, resilience, culture, and provides practical learning opportunities and aims to integrate Indigenous health into pharmacy practice. The webinar will be recorded for later viewing for those that cannot attend the live event.
Registration for the live webinar and further information, including speaker bios and learning objectives, can be found [here].
Pharmacists must view the live or recorded webinar by December 31, 2023, and pharmacy technicians have until May 31, 2024, to view it. After attending or viewing the webinar, participants should complete the learning activity evaluation to receive a statement of participation. The webinar can be claimed for up to 1.5 accredited continuing education units (CEU).
Together, let’s work towards a healthcare system that ensures safer and more equitable care for all.
If you have any questions, please contact profdevelopment@cphm.ca.
NAPRA National Drug Schedules: Final Recommendations for Loratadine for Use in Children 2 to 11
On March 5, 2023, the National Drug Scheduling Advisory Committee (NDSAC) issued interim recommendations regarding the drug Loratadine and its various forms and preparations. The following decisions were made:
- Loratadine and its salts and preparations in products intended for children aged 2 to 11 years, with package sizes containing more than 140 mg of loratadine, will continue to be classified as Schedule III.
- Loratadine and its salts and preparations in products intended for children aged 2 to 11 years, with package sizes containing no more than 140 mg of loratadine, will be granted Unscheduled status.
- Loratadine and its salts and preparations in products intended for individuals aged 12 years and above will remain Unscheduled.
These interim recommendations were officially approved and became effective following final approval by the Board of Directors of the National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities (NAPRA). During the 30-day review period, NAPRA did not receive any comments or feedback. As a result, the National Drug Schedules will be updated accordingly to reflect these changes.
Upcoming Events & Professional Development Opportunities
The Community Connectors Training Workshop: Identifying and Referring Socially Isolated Older Adults
Accredited for 1.5 CEU
June 20, 2023
Click here to register and for more information.
Canadian Association of Pharmacy Technicians (CAPT) National Professional Development Conference
Accreditation pending
June 23 to 25, 2023
For information on the conference program and to register click here.
Opioid Agonist Therapy 101 Introduction to Clinical Practice
October 26 and 27, 2023
Click here to register and for more information.