Recording-2025-02-12T18:42:59.178Z

Pharmacy Inspection and Requirements

• Inspection Overview

  • Inspects both pharmacy members and operational sites.

  • Checks if pharmacies meet essential requirements such as:

    • Proper refrigeration.

    • Private counseling areas.

    • Clean spaces for compounding.

• Record Keeping

  • Review of prescription records and operational management by the pharmacy manager.

  • Importance of accurate record-keeping is emphasized.

Delegation of Controlled Acts

• Definition of Controlled Acts

  • Specific acts exclusive to trained and authorized professionals (e.g., pharmacists).

• Examples

  • Counseling:

    • Can only be performed by a pharmacist; pharmacy technicians can temporarily take instructions under supervision.

• Delegation Process

  • Delegation must remain within professional limits to avoid liability.

Accreditation of Pharmacies

• OCP Control

  • The Ontario College of Pharmacists (OCP) issues and renews accreditation certificates post-inspection.

• Requirements for Accreditation

  • Must meet all operational requirements and equipment standards.

  • Renewed annually and adjusted for changes, including adding online pharmacies or moving locations.

Changes in Pharmacy Regulations

• Technology Incorporation

  • Regulations updated (02/2006) to include mandatory computer and internet access in pharmacies.

  • Transition from manual to electronic record-keeping.

• Storage Requirements

  • Minimum pharmacy space of 200 square feet with a designated counseling area.

  • Implementation of scanning systems for prescription records.

  • Hard copies stored for 2 years; digital records maintained for 10 years.

Prescription Renewal and Reauthorization

• Regulation Updates

  • Pharmacists can now extend prescriptions in certain circumstances while documenting consultations with the prescriber.

• Conditions for Extending Prescriptions

  • Must ensure patient stability and ongoing treatment need.

  • Exclusions for controlled substances or narcotics.

Professional Conduct and Misconduct

• Definition of Professional Misconduct

  • Actions that jeopardize patient welfare or involve conflicts of interest.

  • Examples include self-referral for profits or misuse of patient data for personal gain.

Remote Dispensing Regulations

• Overview of Remote Dispensing

  • Approval for pharmacies to operate remote dispensing systems without pharmacists on site.

  • Patients access prescriptions through automated systems while being able to consult with pharmacists via technology.

• Operational Considerations

  • Remote dispensing must be connected and supervised by a registered pharmacy to ensure regulatory compliance.