Friday Five (September 29, 2023)

The September 29, 2023 edition of the Friday Five is now available.

Embracing Health Equity: Pharmacy’s Role in Truth and Reconciliation 

The path toward truth and reconciliation in healthcare equity demands commitment, self-reflection, and collaboration. As a pharmacy professional, your role extends beyond the prescription counter; it encompasses a dedication to healing, equity, and inclusivity.

This September 30th, on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, CPhM encourages you to actively participate in this journey, enhance your cultural competence, and ensure that every patient receives the quality care they deserve, regardless of their background.  

Click here to learn more about CPhM’s commitment to health equity and reconciliation and for resources to support your path to truth and reconciliation, such as Manitoba Indigenous Cultural Safety Training and the National Indigenous Cultural Safety Learning Series. 

Together, we can make a meaningful impact on the path to healthcare equity and reconciliation. 

Consultation Notice: Palliative Care Exemption for Compounding Consultation 

The College of Pharmacists of Manitoba (CPhM) Council is seeking registrant feedback to understand how community pharmacies in Manitoba are using the Sterile Compounding Exemption for Palliative Care Patients (the exemption). Council approved an extension of the exemption allowing for the drawing-up of comfort care medications for palliative care patients in a setting that does not meet the NAPRA Model Standards for Sterile Compounding. Your feedback will help inform Council’s future decision-making regarding the exemption.  

The short survey contains 1-7 questions and will take about two minutes or less to complete. The survey will close on October 12, 2023.  

To complete the survey, please visit the following link:  

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PalliativeCareExemption   

Changes to the Extended Practice Pharmacist Application 

The Extended Practice Pharmacist application form has been updated to help remove barriers and reflect changes recently approved by CPhM Council and the Board of Examiners, as recommended by the Extended Practice Pharmacist (EPPh) Consultation Review Ad-Hoc Committee. Please note the follow changes:

  • Practice hours completed in the specialty area in a collaborative practice setting may now be done prior to, during, or after the licensed pharmacist applicant has received their certification or advanced degree, provided that the hours were completed independently and autonomously. 
  • Removal of Appendix A – Medical Director, Physician, Registered Nurse (Extended Practice)/Nurse Practitioner Declarations in Support of an Extended Practice Pharmacist Applicant. This is now replaced with a brief declaration of support at the end of the application form.  
  • A list of EPPh specialty names has been provided to help ensure consistency in specialty naming.  
  • Wording on the application has been updated to reflect virtual and remote practice settings.  

Pharmacists interested in becoming an EPPh can visit the CPhM webpage here to learn more.   

New Guidance: In-Hospital Prescribing of Methadone for Palliative Care Analgesia 

The College of Pharmacists of Manitoba (CPhM) shares the latest guidance from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba (CPSM) regarding in-hospital prescribing of methadone for palliative care analgesia. 

Developed in collaboration with regional palliative care leaders and with consultation from the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority (WRHA) Palliative Care on-call service, this new guidance is designed to streamline the process of prescribing methadone for palliative pain management during a hospital stay. 

In the past, physicians required methadone prescribing approval to initiate or adjust methadone treatment for palliative care analgesia in hospitalized patients. However, the Recommendations for In-Hospital Prescribing of Methadone for Palliative Care Analgesia now provide an alternative approach. Patients in need can receive timely methadone care through consultation with the WRHA Palliative Care on-call team, eliminating the need for individual prescribing approvals. 

It’s important to note that these recommendations are specific to inpatient methadone prescribing for palliative care analgesia and do not cover methadone prescribing for other purposes. Additional guidance around methadone (and buprenorphine/naloxone) for opioid use disorder is available in the In-Hospital Care chapter of the Manitoba Opioid Agonist Therapy Recommended Practice Manual. 

Pharmacy Managers: Important Information on Accessing CPSM’s Methadone and Suboxone Prescriber List 

The College of Pharmacists of Manitoba (CPhM) has recently received inquiries from registrants regarding access to the Methadone and Suboxone Prescriber List provided by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba (CPSM). 

To address these queries, we want to remind all pharmacy managers of the communication sent via fax and email on July 14, 2023. This communication introduced an improved and more efficient process for accessing the prescriber list. In that message, pharmacy managers were instructed to share the link to the new searchable prescribe portal and the corresponding login details with all pharmacists in their pharmacy. 

If, for any reason, you did not receive this essential communication or have misplaced the login credentials, please contact communications@cphm.ca with the subject line ‘Methadone and Suboxone Prescriber List,’ and we will promptly resend the login information to ensure uninterrupted access.  

Career Opportunity:  Administrative Support – Quality Assurance 

The College of Pharmacists of Manitoba is presently in search of Administrative Support – Quality Assurance.   

This position provides support to key programs for pharmacist and pharmacy technician quality assurance, pharmacy technician qualifications and listing, field operations, and general office administration. 

The successful candidate will be the first point of contact for visitors and general communications to the College and contributes to efficient office organization throughout the workday.  

This is a full-time permanent position, onsite Monday to Friday, based on a 37.5 – hour workweek. 

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/80852?s=fc 

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

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

Upcoming Events & Professional Development Opportunities

Canadian Association of Pharmacy Technicians (CAPT) VIRTUAL National Conference 

November 12, 2023, at 10:30 EST 

Click here to register and for more information. 

Targeting Social Isolation Together E-Modules  

Can be claimed as 2.0 accredited CEUs  

Click here to sign up and for more information.  

Managing Drug Shortages in Pediatric Patients   

Can be claimed as 0.75 accredited CEUs   

Click here to view the recording.  

Opioid Agonist Therapy 101 Introduction to Clinical Practice   

October 26 and 27, 2023    

Click here to register and for more information.