Health and Community Services
October 29, 2014
Strengthening the Health and Well-Being of Residents
New Regulations Expand Pharmacists' Scope of Practice
New regulations under the Pharmacy Act, 2012 will expand the scope of practice of pharmacists in Newfoundland and Labrador. The new regulations will allow pharmacists to administer medication by inhalation and injection, including flu vaccines. Further, the Provincial Government is making an important program enhancement by supporting clients of the Newfoundland and Labrador Prescription Drug Program (NLPDP) in accessing flu shots from their pharmacists free of charge.
“Pharmacists play a valuable role in the delivery of primary health care services to the residents of Newfoundland and Labrador. Through this expanded scope of practice, pharmacists will be able to further utilize their skills and deliver important health services. There will be greater access for everyone in the province and clients of the NLPDP will benefit from expanded opportunities to receive vaccines. By working together with health care professionals, we are finding ways to make improvements and ensure the system works more efficiently and effectively for the benefit of residents.”
- The Honourable Steve Kent, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health and Community Services
The new regulations under the Pharmacy Act, 2012 have been signed by the Minister of Health and Community Services and the Newfoundland and Labrador Pharmacy Board. Pharmacists will be required to receive training and follow standards developed by the Newfoundland and Labrador Pharmacy Board. These standards are intended to ensure pharmacists are properly trained and have the appropriate administrative infrastructure in place to offer a safe and effective service.
“The mandate of the Newfoundland and Labrador Pharmacy Board is public protection. The board ensures that only fully qualified and competent pharmacists practice in this province. These new regulations will help to provide increased access to safe health care services. Pharmacists interested in providing injections, including flu vaccinations, will be required to successfully complete a comprehensive training program before receiving authorization from the board to administer injections. The board continues to maintain its focus on providing patients with the safe, high quality standard of care and services they have come to expect from the province’s pharmacists.”
- Margot Priddle, Registrar, Newfoundland and Labrador Pharmacy Board
In addition to physician offices and public health clinics, clients of the NLPDP will have access to the influenza vaccine free of charge at pharmacies. Pharmacists will also be permitted to provide vaccinations to the general public for a fee determined by the pharmacy. Further details on the availability of the influenza vaccine or other vaccines will be made available by pharmacies.
“We are very pleased with the government's commitment to leverage the skills, training and knowledge of pharmacists throughout the province. The support for the expanded scope of practice is important progress to not only advance the role of pharmacists, but to respond to the health needs of residents of the province. As licensed health care practitioners, pharmacists are very passionate about improving health outcomes and delivery in Newfoundland and Labrador. Pharmacists are easily accessible and happy to play a much larger role in the provision of quality health care in the province.”
- Stephen Reid, Executive Director, Pharmacists’ Association of Newfoundland and Labrador
The Provincial Government is committed to working with pharmacists to expand their scope of practice. This latest initiative further builds on recent expansions under the NLPDP that address medication reviews and medication adherence programs for clients with multiple chronic diseases and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.
QUICK FACTS
- New regulations under the Pharmacy Act, 2012 have been signed that expand the scope of practice for pharmacists allowing them to administer medication by inhalation and injection.
- Pharmacists who receive authorization from the Newfoundland and Labrador Pharmacy Board will be allowed to provide influenza vaccines and other vaccines.
- In addition to the physician and public health clinics currently available, clients of the Newfoundland and Labrador Prescription Drug Program will have access to the influenza vaccine free of charge at pharmacies.
- Other members of the public who receive vaccines provided by pharmacists will be charged a fee determined by the pharmacy.
- All residents of the province will continue to have access to the influenza vaccine free of charge through physician offices and regional health authorities.
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Media contacts:
| Heather MacLean Director of Communications Department of Health and Community Services 709-729-1377, 697-4137 heathermaclean@gov.nl.ca |
Margot Priddle Registrar Newfoundland and Labrador Pharmacy Board 709-753-5877 inforx@nlpb.ca |
| Stephen Reid Executive Director Pharmacists’ Association of Newfoundland and Labrador 709-753-7881 ext. 203 sreid@panl.net |
2014 10 29 11:20 a.m.