Monitoring Pharmacy Practice

Over 2014/15, the College transitioned away from the previously known process of Inspectors conducting routine, random site visits. The statistics below (see Table 1)  show the number of inspections completed under the previous process.

Beginning in 2015, the College launched the Practice Review Program, where College Inspectors – now known as Compliance Officers – conduct scheduled site visits of pharmacies across British Columbia, in addition to reviewing new, renovated and/or relocated pharmacies. These site visits, called a Pharmacy Review, ensure that practice standards are being met, and allow for the identification, documentation and reconciliation of any areas that may require improvement.

With the introduction of the Practice Review Program, Compliance Officers also review and assess each pharmacy professional’s practice in their daily environment. These reviews are called the Pharmacy Professional’s Review.

In addition to scheduled site visits, College Investigators visit specific pharmacies in response to circumstances identified through the complaints resolution process. Site visits triggered by a complaint focus on evidence gathering with respect to specific concerns; findings are brought forward to the College’s Inquiry Committee for review.