Development of a proposal for pharmacist prescribing stretches back to 2010 when the College Board first decided to move forward with a feasibility study. An initial Certified Pharmacist Prescriber Draft Framework was developed in 2015 and used to facilitate stakeholder engagement in 2016. The input garnered from this initial engagement was used to develop the new Framework for Pharmacist Prescribing in BC, narrowing the scope of the proposal to focus on collaborative practice.
Framework for Pharmacist Prescribing in British Columbia – February 2018
Under the new Framework, Pharmacist Prescribing is proposed to take place through interdisciplinary team-based care where physicians and nurse practitioners would continue to be responsible for the diagnosis, and access to health records and diagnostics, including lab tests, would be facilitated. Certified Pharmacist Prescribers would also be restricted from dispensing medications they prescribed for a patient.
The new framework is also focused more closely on preventing patient harm by reducing preventable drug-related problems and providing safer transitions in care through increased involvement of pharmacists, as medication experts in the delivery of patient-centred collaborative care. Improving medication management and reducing preventable drug-related hospitalizations protects public safety and will improve patient outcomes.
The second engagement on pharmacist prescribing was conducted through June to October 2017. The purpose of this engagement was to give patients, pharmacy professionals and other health professionals an opportunity to provide their input and share their thoughts on how pharmacist prescribing in collaborative practice relationships could work to help care for patients in BC.
The engagement showed increased confidence in Pharmacist Prescribing from all stakeholder groups. Feedback indicated strong support for implementing pharmacist prescribing to help care for patients from pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, pharmacy students and members of the public. Physicians still illustrated strong resistance, while others (such as nurses and nurse practitioners) indicated support for pharmacist prescribing.
2017 Framework for Pharmacist Prescribing in BC - Engagement Report
Who We Heard FromDuring the engagement on Pharmacist Prescribing, the College received significant engagement with patients, pharmacy professionals, pharmacy students and other health professionals. Participation in the Certified Pharmacist Prescribing Engagement:
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At its November 2017 meeting, the College Board approved the proposal for pharmacist prescribing in BC, to be submitted to the Minister of Health along with a request to amend the Pharmacists Regulation under the Health Professions Act. The submission will include the Certified Pharmacist Prescriber Engagement Report and the final Framework for Pharmacist Prescribing in BC.