Health and
Community Services
June 23, 2010
New Authority for Pharmacists to Improve Patient
Access
Recent changes to the pharmacy regulations and new standards of
pharmacy practice adopted by the Newfoundland and Labrador Pharmacy
Board will broaden the ability of pharmacists to provide prescription
medications to better serve patients in Newfoundland and Labrador. The
Honourable Jerome Kennedy, Minister of Health and Community Services,
made the announcement today. Pharmacists may now refill, extend or
adjust prescriptions, in accordance with the board's standards of
practice.
"These new regulations will allow the people of Newfoundland and
Labrador to get the medicines they need from participating pharmacies
even if they can't get to their doctor right away," said Minister
Kennedy. "By more completely using the competencies of pharmacists, the
regulations will improve access and create efficiencies in the
healthcare system."
The changes will allow, with the patient's consent, a pharmacist to
refill or modify a prescription. For example, a pharmacist may change a
prescription from a tablet to a liquid that may be easier for a patient
to swallow. A pharmacist may now use his or her judgment to provide an
emergency supply of medication, extend expired prescriptions for limited
periods and make minor changes to prescriptions to avoid delays
dispensing them to patients. When extending a prescription or making any
change to a prescription, the pharmacist must notify the original
prescriber. While the standards are now in effect, pharmacists are
required to educate themselves fully on the standards and submit a
declaration form to the Pharmacy Board before providing these services
to patients.
"Pharmacists are the experts in drug therapy and they have always used
their knowledge and skills to select and provide appropriate medication
to their patients, but in a limited manner," said Keith Bailey, Chair of
the Newfoundland and Labrador Pharmacy Board. "This regulation will
allow pharmacists to more fully utilize their medication management
expertise in the interest of the health and well-being of
Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. This is an excellent example of how
collaboration among health professionals can better serve the needs of
patients without compromising safety."
Standards of pharmacy practice adopted by the board spell out the
limits and conditions under which pharmacists can exercise their
professional judgement with respect to medication management. These
standards have been developed in consultation with the College of
Physicians and Surgeons, Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Association,
the Association of Registered Nurses, the Pharmacists' Association of
Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Department of Health and Community
Services.
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