Amendments to modernize the College’s bylaws under the Pharmacy Operations and Drug Scheduling Act (PODSA) came into effect on January 16, 2020.

The College Board approved these amendments at its November 2019 meeting, as part of the Legislative Standards & Modernization Goal within the College’s 2017/18 – 2019/20 Strategic Plan.

This PODSA Modernization Project was split into two phases. Phase One involved amendments to the PODSA Bylaws relating to pharmacy ownership requirements and came into effect on April 1, 2018.

The following key bylaw topics were addressed in the Phase Two PODSA Bylaw amendments:

  • Operation of a community pharmacy without a full pharmacist,
  • Responsibilities of managers, direct owners, directors, officers and shareholders,
  • Storage of drugs and confidential health information, including offsite storage,
  • Provisions to allow for community telepharmacy reinstatement,
  • Bylaws that are not being complied with based on data from the Practice Review Program, PharmaNet requirements in light of the transition of administration of PharmaNet functions to the Ministry of Health, and
  • House-keeping amendments, including ensuring consistency of writing style.

These changes support the College in its efforts to follow best practices for regulation, such as the concept of Right Touch Regulation. Right Touch Regulation means always asking what risk we are trying to regulate, being proportionate and targeted in regulating that risk or finding ways other than regulation to promote good practice and high-quality healthcare.

A more detailed summary of these bylaw amendments can be found in the ReadLinks Article: PODSA Modernization: Bylaw Amendments Coming Soon.

You can also review the updated Pharmacy Operations and Drug Scheduling Act Bylaws, which incorporate the Phase Two PODSA Bylaw amendments.

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