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We recognize the valuable role that pharmacy professionals play in serving their communities, especially during this time of increased need. We also understand the challenges pharmacy professionals are facing each day and are committed to supporting the profession and the public by keeping you informed of the latest developments relevant to pharmacy practice and, as new issues arise, provide guidance where possible.
As we do, we will continue to collaborate with partners, including the Ontario Pharmacists Association and the Ontario branch of the Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacists, to work together on solutions and engage with our government partners on these matters on an ongoing basis.
In this issue of e-Connect, we would like to provide you with these important updates:
The Ministry of Health has updated its COVID-19 Guidance for Pharmacies with the new case definition and guidance on screening. We strongly encourage you to read this document and to check the webpage regularly to access important updates and resources.
The Ontario Pharmacists Association has also published A Pharmacist’s Guide to Pandemic Preparedness to assist pharmacy professionals in developing and implementing a plan to address the COVID-19 pandemic, including business continuity planning.
The College is working with the provincial and federal governments on potential regulatory exemptions to support access to controlled substances. The potential regulatory changes to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) could permit pharmacists to extend or refill prescriptions, transfer prescriptions to other pharmacists and to accept verbal orders from prescribers to extend or refill a prescription.
We understand the need for pharmacy professionals to have the tools to provide safe and quality patient care under the extraordinary circumstances of a state of emergency. We continue to work expeditiously with the government on any potential regulatory changes and will keep you informed as to when you will be able to act on these changes.
We know that circumstances are changing rapidly as governments across Canada take additional actions to manage the COVID-19 pandemic. Although these measures are meant to alleviate pressure on facilities that provide acute care including hospitals, we also recognize that many healthcare providers in the community, including pharmacy professionals, are under a great deal of pressure during this challenging time.
We have heard concerns from registrants regarding the continued operation of community pharmacies and the prospect of temporary closures if pharmacy staff are unable to work due to illness, self-isolation, or caring for loved ones. This can have a significant impact on patient care in remote and rural communities in particular. It’s an important issue that we take very seriously and continue to monitor.
In making these difficult decisions, the primary consideration of pharmacy operators must be to ensure continuity of care for patients. Patients need to be able to access their records, and it’s important that they are informed and understand how to access their medication in the event of a closure. Providing information about the location of alternate pharmacies and an emergency contact number (if available) can help facilitate continuity of care.
Registrants should also exercise their professional judgment to determine how best to assist patients prior to a temporary closure, such as renewing prescriptions to ensure they have an adequate supply and informing their primary care provider.
If your pharmacy needs to close temporarily due to staff shortage, illness or other circumstances, please complete the Notification Form for Temporary Closures. This will assist the College in monitoring the number of temporary closures and work with the Ministry of Health and others to address the issue and mitigate the potential impact on patients.
Pharmacy owners also have the discretion to adjust their operating hours as needed to balance the resources available with their desire to serve the public. If they are doing this, they should contact Pharmacy Applications & Renewals at pharmacyapplications@ocpinfo.com or 416-962-4861 ext. 3600.
The College has received a number of inquiries from registrants about compounding hand sanitizer for patients, given the current shortage in commercial supply. For more information on this, please review the “Hand Sanitizer” section on the College’s dedicated COVID-19 webpage.
In response to the public health concerns related to the emergence of COVID-19 in Ontario and as we concentrate our efforts on supporting pharmacy during the pandemic, the College is temporarily operating as a virtual office until further notice. The College has the teleworking infrastructure and associated systems in place to ensure that staff are fully equipped to provide services to registrants and the public.
Accordingly, College staff are working remotely, but remain accessible by phone and/or email. The main College phone line will continue to be open and managed during regular business hours.
We will continue to operate a number of services and programs and move forward on important statutory matters, but in a manner that aligns with current guidance from public health officials. These current measures may be amended over the coming weeks, but we will inform you of any changes.
The College has been and will continue to engage the government, public health officials, and our pharmacy sector partners to support the profession during the COVID-19 pandemic. We are working together and will continue to keep you informed as more information is made available through e-Connect.
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