Friday Five (November 10, 2022)

The November 10, 2022 edition of the Friday Five is now available.

Development and Completion Deadlines for Mandatory Module 

On October 17, 2022, all pharmacy professionals in Manitoba were sent direct correspondence from the College of Pharmacists of Manitoba (CPhM) regarding the availability of the 2022 mandatory professional development (PD) module, Health Equity and Cultural Humility: An Introduction for Health Professionals in Manitoba.  

Module Development 

Based on some of the initial feedback received from pharmacy professionals, CPhM felt it was prudent to share the process for the creation of the Health Equity and Cultural Humility: An Introduction for Health Professionals in Manitoba module. The module was developed in collaboration with 16 provincial health regulatory colleges that are part of the Manitoba Alliance of Health Regulatory Colleges to support awareness and knowledge of health inequity. While this module deals with health equity and cultural humility more generally, CPhM will also continue to develop or provide subsequent education addressing Indigenous-specific racism.  

The participating colleges sourced subject matter experts to develop the content for the module. A working group was formed that consisted of both regulators and a panel of subject matter experts including an equity, diversity, and inclusion specialist and an Indigenous elder, health care professional, and cultural safety trainer. 

CPhM recognizes that many pharmacy professionals have already completed extensive training in this area. It is hoped that this mandatory module will either improve one’s current knowledge or reinforce what is already known on this topic and will also offer an opportunity for meaningful engagement and additional reflection on one’s beliefs and professional practice. Each of us must engage with the challenging work of self-reflection that leads to action and improvement of the health systems and services that are meant to heal but have caused significant harm. 

Completion Deadline  

There has been some concern expressed by pharmacists regarding the relatively short timeline between the release date of the mandatory PD module and the December 31 completion date. This shortened timeline was due to unexpected delays in the development and review of the module. This communication serves to confirm receipt of those concerns, and to also acknowledge their importance, relevance, and validity. CPhM remains grateful to all pharmacy professionals for their unending commitment and dedication in providing safe, quality pharmacy care to the public and vulnerable patients in Manitoba. This does not go unrecognized and serves in tandem with acknowledging each pharmacy professional’s strong devotion to continuous learning and professional development.  

The timeline for completion of the mandatory module for this year for pharmacists (2022) cannot be changed. Please be assured, the issue with the shorter timeline for completion of an annual mandatory PD module will not be within the process for upcoming years.  

Pharmacists must complete the mandatory module before December 31, 2022. (Pharmacy technicians must complete the module before May 31, 2023, because of differences in the listing/licensing years).  

Once again, CPhM extends appreciation to all pharmacy professionals for your continued efforts in delivering safe, quality pharmacy care to your patients. 

The College of Pharmacists of Manitoba is pleased to announce the amendments to the Manitoba Pharmaceutical Regulation, to expand Schedule 2 to permit the ongoing administration of COVID-19 vaccines by pharmacists and to update the name of the provincial immunization database, have been approved and are now in force.  

 Please use the following link to view the amended regulations: https://web2.gov.mb.ca/laws/regs/annual/2022/132.pdf

Compounding Children’s and Infant’s Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen During the Current Drug Shortages 

Adapted and distributed on behalf of Health Canada:  

Health Canada is aware that the shortage of children’s and infant’s acetaminophen and ibuprofen is significantly impacting Canada’s health system.  

As such, Health Canada does not object to allowing the compounding of these products without a prescription but within a patient-healthcare professional relationship until this shortage resolves. 

Health Canada recommends that appropriate documentation be maintained at the pharmacy level to demonstrate a patient-healthcare professional relationship. 

Health Canada’s non-objection is based on the understanding that the Provinces and Territories provide appropriate regulatory oversight over the compounding of these products within a patient-healthcare professional context. 

Pharmacy professionals may contact drug.gmp.questions-bpf.medicaments@hc-sc.gc.ca with any specific questions. 

For the full letter, please click here.

ISMP Canada Launches New CCCEP-Accredited Pediatric Medication Safety eLearning Module  

Keeping Pediatric Patients Safe: Pediatric Safety Considerations for Community Pharmacists is the latest eLearning module developed by ISMP Canada.  

This five-part CCCEP-accredited e-Learning program will provide community pharmacists the fundamentals of assessing pediatric prescriptions, doing common calculations, identifying, and managing high-risk areas in their practice, as well as effectively educating patients and caregivers. Co-designed with the input of pediatric specialists, clinical pharmacists, community pharmacists and consumers, and based on medication incidents from 2016-2021, the topics selected are pertinent to present-day pharmacy practice. 

For more information or to register, visit https://ismpcanada.ca/education/ 

Consultation for feedback on the Rural, Remote and Underserved Populations: Access to Prescribed Medications Joint Practice Statement 

Rural, remote, and underserviced populations are at risk for potentially harmful delays in care because of barriers to timely access to services. Taking this into account, Manitoba’s Nursing Colleges, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba, and the College of Pharmacists of Manitoba (CPhM) collaborated to create a joint practice statement entitled Rural, Remote and Underserved Populations: Access to Prescribed Medications (the joint practice statement). The joint practice statement was approved in April 2018 and is currently in effect.  

CPhM is launching a consultation on the joint practice statement to gather feedback on its use in pharmacy practice. Pharmacy professionals who provide care to rural, remote and underserviced populations are encouraged to participate in the consultation.  

The consultation is open until December 12, 2022, and can be accessed via the following link https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/6KST5MD 

CPhM Office Hours Notice – Honouring Remembrance Day  

Please be advised the CPhM office will be closed on Friday, November 11, 2022, to honour Remembrance Day.