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The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) sought input from pharmacists, stakeholders, and the public regarding the proposed Pharmacy Profession Regulations. The proposed regulations aim to move the regulation of the pharmacy profession from the Pharmacy Actto the Health and Social Services Professions Act (HSSPA), the “umbrella” Act that intends to support a comprehensive and consistent framework for the regulation of all health and social services professionals in the NWT. This approach will foster improved access to medical services and aligns us with national standards, while also broadening the scope of practice for pharmacists.
Key changes proposed to the regulatory framework for pharmacists included:
Regulating pharmacy technicians
Expanding the scope of pharmacists to include the authority to:
Initiate prescriptions
Adapt prescriptions
Order and interpret laboratory tests and conduct and interpret point of care tests
Administer vaccines and medications via injection and inhalation
Have Your Say
Pharmacists, stakeholders, and the public were invited to provide feedback by August 30, 2024, which was submitted via email.
The current Pharmacy Act came into force in 2007. Some amendments have been made since then, however, few of these changes modernized the regulatory framework. As a result, the scope of practice for pharmacists in the NWT, alongside Nunavut, is the least comprehensive in Canada. Despite amendments like the Continued Care Prescription Regulations in 2008 and COVID-19-driven changes in 2020, the regulatory framework lacks modernization. In December 2021, important modifications were made to address the opioid crisis and pandemic challenges, incorporating naloxone kit accessibility and electronic prescribing.
Now, the GNWT is proposing to move the regulation of the pharmacy profession under the HSSPA, an “umbrella” Act that came into force in March 2022. This transition aims to modernize regulation, harmonize the scope of practice with national standards, and fulfill the GNWT's goal of unifying various health and social services professions under a single law.
Next Steps
Engagement results were summarized and are available here. These results will help inform the development of the regulations.
The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) sought input from pharmacists, stakeholders, and the public regarding the proposed Pharmacy Profession Regulations. The proposed regulations aim to move the regulation of the pharmacy profession from the Pharmacy Actto the Health and Social Services Professions Act (HSSPA), the “umbrella” Act that intends to support a comprehensive and consistent framework for the regulation of all health and social services professionals in the NWT. This approach will foster improved access to medical services and aligns us with national standards, while also broadening the scope of practice for pharmacists.
Key changes proposed to the regulatory framework for pharmacists included:
Regulating pharmacy technicians
Expanding the scope of pharmacists to include the authority to:
Initiate prescriptions
Adapt prescriptions
Order and interpret laboratory tests and conduct and interpret point of care tests
Administer vaccines and medications via injection and inhalation
Have Your Say
Pharmacists, stakeholders, and the public were invited to provide feedback by August 30, 2024, which was submitted via email.
The current Pharmacy Act came into force in 2007. Some amendments have been made since then, however, few of these changes modernized the regulatory framework. As a result, the scope of practice for pharmacists in the NWT, alongside Nunavut, is the least comprehensive in Canada. Despite amendments like the Continued Care Prescription Regulations in 2008 and COVID-19-driven changes in 2020, the regulatory framework lacks modernization. In December 2021, important modifications were made to address the opioid crisis and pandemic challenges, incorporating naloxone kit accessibility and electronic prescribing.
Now, the GNWT is proposing to move the regulation of the pharmacy profession under the HSSPA, an “umbrella” Act that came into force in March 2022. This transition aims to modernize regulation, harmonize the scope of practice with national standards, and fulfill the GNWT's goal of unifying various health and social services professions under a single law.
Next Steps
Engagement results were summarized and are available here. These results will help inform the development of the regulations.
Status
Open
Proposed Pharmacy Profession Regulations has finished this stage
This engagement is open from July 29, 2024 to August 30, 2024.
Under Review
Proposed Pharmacy Profession Regulations is currently at this stage
Completed
this is an upcoming stage for Proposed Pharmacy Profession Regulations
