MedSTEP NL Program – Next Implementation Deadline Approaching
The next implementation deadline for the MedSTEP NL program is to choose a reporting platform to export data to the National Incident Data Repository (NIDR) by March 31, 2024. To complete this implementation step, community pharmacies must ensure the following:
- Pharmacist-in-charge (PIC) reviews and understands MedSTEP NL criteria for a MIR platform.
- PIC either:
- subscribes to a MIR platform that meets MedSTEP NL criteria; or
- ensures existing or in-house MIR platform meets MedSTEP NL criteria.
- PIC signs and submits a data-sharing agreement with NIDR.
- PIC obtains a Medication Safety Self-Assessment tool included in the chosen reporting platform or from another source.
- PIC completes the pharmacy policies and procedures manual for MedSTEP NL
- Pharmacy staff, including pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and pharmacy assistants, review and understand the policies and procedures for MedSTEP NL
Calls for Expression of Interest
NLPB is currently seeking a hospital pharmacist to join the Quality Assurance Committee.
The Quality Assurance Committee is a standing committee of the Newfoundland and Labrador Pharmacy Board whose role is to investigate quality assurance concerns that arise about the practice of pharmacists or pharmacy technicians. In fulfilling its role, the committee may:
- Conduct investigations when concerns arise, in accordance with the duties of the committee set out in the Pharmacy Act, 2012;
- Appoint assessors to assist in investigations when necessary;
- Review findings of investigations; and
- Resolve concerns with registrants, including referring matters to the Complaints Authorization Committee when possible professional misconduct is discovered.
If you are interested, please submit your name, contact information, a brief bio, and a few lines about why you are interested in being part of the committee to inforx@nlpb.ca by February 29, 2024.
NLPB is currently seeking a community pharmacist and a hospital pharmacist to join the Pharmacy Practice Advisory Committee.
The Pharmacy Practice Advisory Committee is a standing committee of NLPB whose role is to advise the board on current or new standards related to registrants’ scope of practice. In fulfilling its role, the committee may be consulted regarding:
- standards of practice related to scope of practice of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians,
- implementation plans and strategies to assist pharmacy professionals with meeting standards of practice and the expectations of contemporary pharmacy practice, or
- revision to the Code of Ethics.
If you are interested, please submit your name, contact information, a brief bio, and a few lines about why you are interested in being part of the committee to inforx@nlpb.ca by February 29, 2024.
Upcoming Webinar: Practice Check-in – FAQs & Lessons Learned in Community Pharmacy
Join NLPB during Pharmacy Appreciation Month for the first in our biannual webinar series, Practice Check-In.
Check-in with NLPB Practice Consultant, Rheya White, on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, 7:00-8:00 pm (NDT) as they share some of the practice trends they have identified during community pharmacy site visits and provide answers to pharmacy professionals’ frequently asked questions. Topics will include:
- Non-sterile compounding policies and procedures
- Lock and leave requirements
- Pharmacist prescribing
- Prescription pick-up
- Out-of-province prescriptions
- Prescription requirements for controlled substances
- Narcotic and controlled drug documentation
- MedSTEP NL FAQ
Date: March 20, 2024
Time: 7:00-8:00 pm (NDT)
Presenter: Rheya White RPh(BSc Pharm) (they/her), Community Pharmacy Practice Consultant
Click to Register
This webinar will be hosted through Microsoft Teams.
Verbal Orders for Controlled Drugs and Substances
As previously communicated in the July 2023 issue of The PostScript, in May 2023, revisions were made to the sections of the Pharmaceutical Services Act to allow for the implementation of the Health Canada Subsection 56(1) exemption in relation to the provincial Tamper Resistant Prescription Pad (TRPP) Program.
This amendment allows for:
- Pharmacists to accept verbal prescriptions for controlled drugs and substances; and
- Prescriptions for controlled drugs and substances to be transferred both within the province and between provinces.
Please note that the TRPP program remains in effect. In accordance with the legislation, all written prescriptions must still be written on the designated pad before being given to the patient or faxed to the pharmacy.
Registration Requirements – Certificate of Conduct
As of January 2024, NLPB no longer accepts certificates of conduct from issuers other than Sterling Backcheck, except for applicants who do not currently reside in Canada, who can provide a certificate of conduct from their local or national policing agency, as per the NLPB Certificate of Conduct Requirements for Registration.
To ensure NLPB receives the certificate of conduct directly from Sterling Backcheck, applicants must access Sterling Backcheck through the NLPB landing page at https://pages.sterlingbackcheck.ca/landing-pages/n/nl-pharmacy-board/. Photos, copies, and/or uploads are not acceptable.
MyHealthNL Update
The Provincial Government and Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services has introduced MyHealthNL, a new online service for personal health records.
The Personal Health Record will be available online through MyGovNL and give NL citizens access to:
- Laboratory results
- Dispensed medications
- Radiology reports
- Allergies
In addition, residents can also access mental health and health information resources.
The online service rollout began in February, initially being rolled out to 5,000 people who are 16 years of age and older, and the department anticipates providing the service to groups of 50,000 residents in the following months. Residents will also have the option to allow family members to access the service.
As a healthcare provider, you may have questions regarding this service. Please review the FAQ MyHealthNL Heath Care Provider Edition and Personal Health Information Available in MyHealthNL, and should you have any additional questions, please contact MyHealthNL@nlchi.nl.ca for more information.
Join ISMP Canada’s Canadian Medication Safety Network
ISMP Canada recently launched the Canadian Medication Safety Network, which provides a chance to hear from healthcare providers and consumers about medication safety needs and opportunities from communities across the country.
Register for free at ismpcanada.ca/canadian-medication-safety-network/
Apply to be a Subject Matter Expert on the NAPRA Compounding Standards Working Group
The National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities (NAPRA) has begun a process to update its current suite of model standards for pharmacy compounding. A working group will be formed to assist with the project to update these documents.
NAPRA is currently seeking subject matter experts with the following skills and expertise:
- At least 5 years’ experience as a practising pharmacist or pharmacy technician with experience in non-sterile-non-hazardous, non-sterile-hazardous, sterile-non-hazardous, and/or sterile-hazardous compounding;
- Experience working on committees or working groups in the past (experience working on a regulatory committee or working group would be an asset);
- Knowledge and understanding of conflict of interest and privacy and confidentiality requirements;
- Knowledge of standards development would be an asset;
- Ability to work comfortably in English.
For more information regarding this opportunity please visit napra.ca/invitation-for-applications-to-act-as-a-subject-matter-expert-sme-on-the-napra-compounding-standards-working-group/
Project ECHO NL: Substance Use (Cycle 1)
Session 10: Buprenorphine Induction in the Emergency Department
Wednesday, February 28 (12:00-1:00 pm NDT; 11:30 am-12:30pm ADT)
To register for Session 10, please complete the registration form here by Tuesday, February 27.
Session 11: Flexible Practices in Opioid Use Disorder Management
Wednesday, March 13 (8:30-9:30 am NDT; 8:00-9:00am ADT)
To register for Session 11, please complete the registration form here by Monday, March 11.
Sessions take place on Zoom.
Please direct any questions about Project ECHO NL: Substance Use to Kate.Lambert@easternhealth.ca.
Regular reminders
- Registrant Contact Information – Registrants are responsible for ensuring that the contact information on their registrant profile, including email address and practice site, is accurate at all times. The NLPB primarily uses email communication to send newsletters, renewal reminders, practice site assessment information, professional development audit information, calls for interest for committees, and other alerts. If the email address on file is incorrect, important information may be missed and/or disclosed to the wrong person. If your contact information changes, please update your information on file by logging into the NLPB Registrant Portal.
- Application Submission – NLPB receives many applications for processing. Unfortunately, some of the applications submitted are illegible, incomplete, or missing supporting documentation or payment, leading to delays in processing and approving the application. In order to ensure that your application is processed in a timely manner, please take a moment before submission to ensure that all fields are completed and legible and that all supporting documentation is included. All supporting documentation should adhere to NLPB’s Scanning Guidelines and Checklist for Document Submissions Policy. These small steps will help improve the process for both the applicant and NLPB.
This e-newsletter contains information on a wide variety of topics intended to enhance the practice of pharmacy in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. As it is published and circulated to all registrants on a monthly basis, it is the expectation of NLPB that all registrants are aware of the matters contained therein.