Legislative, Regulatory & Legal

Pharmacists urged to dim lights and wear black.

The Ontario College of Pharmacists has launched its new Corporate Pressures Hotline, one of 18 moves it says it's making to improve working conditions for pharmacy staff.

The move means that the National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities has now removed all products with Natural Product Number or Drug Identification Number-Homeopathic Medicine from the National Drug Schedules.

The Neighbourhood Pharmacy Association of Canada released a statement against only charging pharmacies for the tool, arguing that other healthcare stakeholders who benefit should pay as well.

In its appeal, the AQPP denounces an ‘opaque ecosystem for the distribution of specialty drugs’ which would harm the financial health of community pharmacies and patient safety.

Among the flagship measures tabled in Bill 67 is the power granted to pharmacists to do more tests and to prescribe and renew prescriptions indefinitely.

New Ontario law allows hospitals to charge $400 daily if they refuse.

The bylaw, intended to increase safety, has caused confusion and controversy among residents.