January/February 2009 - Ontario College of Pharmacists

editor’s message
Della Croteau, R.Ph., B.S.P., M.C.Ed.
Deputy Registrar/Director of Professional Development
A
pharmacist is a pharmacist
is a pharmacist. That is
what our provincial governments
are telling us through the upcoming
Agreement on Internal Trade
revisions. Next year, a licensed pharmacist,
or any licensed professional for
that matter, will be able to move from
province to province according to the
AIT. This means there will be no retraining
or re-examination of professionals
when moving from province to
province, except where necessary for
public protection.
On one hand the College will be expected
to readily license pharmacists
who are already licensed in another
province. On the other hand, the College
is also responsible for making sure
that every pharmacist who practices in
Ontario is currently competent to practice
and meet the standards of practice.
No matter where a pharmacist practices
it is the responsibility of each of us
Next year, a licensed pharmacist, or any licensed
professional for that matter, will be able to move
from province to province according to the AIT...
as professionals to have plan in place for
continuing education to keep us current
in our areas of practice.
That is not as simple as it used to
be. In the past, many pharmacists have
been comforted by the fact that they
did 15 or 20 continuing education units
(CEUs) per year. But think of it – medical
and drug information is renewing itself
every 5 to 10 years! And the profession
is expanding its scope so that pharmacists
will now be using their medication
knowledge is more accountable
way – through adapting, modifying and
extending prescriptions. How can we
keep up with 20 CEUs per year?
The College has a requirement for
every pharmacist to keep a record of
their continuous learning. The On-line
CPD portal gives each pharmacist an
opportunity to self-assess their knowledge
and skills, and to build a learning
portfolio which will keep them current
with issues in their daily practice. As
well, the OCP website contains several
options for continuing education
which pharmacists can access on a
regular basis. The CPD portal, recently
launched, is now available to all pharmacists
to use as a tool for continuous
professional development. We also encourage
you to plan your learning for
the year in anticipation of an expanded
scope. Check the OCP website for opportunities
for continuing professional
development in your area and on-line.
With the AIT agreement, and the
review of scope of practice in Ontario,
every pharmacists in Ontario will be
accountable for demonstrating their
knowledge and skills at a new level.
Make 2009 the year for increased
professional development and professional
renewal.
6 pharmacyconnection • January/February 2009