All pharmacists in B.C. receive the monthly Scope of Practice Round-up produced by the BC Pharmacy Association, highlighting important changes to the profession's scope. Updates will be distributed quarterly.
Past editions can be found at bcpharmacy.ca/scope-practice-round
Overview of first year of minor ailments now available
PharmaCare has published an overview of the first year of data from June 1, 2023 to May 1, 2024 for the minor ailments and contraception service.
The data includes insights such as:
- top conditions pharmacists are providing services for
- a breakdown of the outcomes of minor ailments claims (prescription given, no prescription given, referred to other health professional, etc)
- monthly count for specific minor ailment claims
- minor ailments usage client demographics
- impact of minor ailments assessments on hospital and physician services
Minor ailments FAQ available from BCPhA
The BC Pharmacy Association maintains an ongoing list of Frequently Asked Questions and answers on the topic of minor ailments and contraception services assessments in B.C.
The FAQ is available to everyone, no BCPhA membership needed, and has been recently updated with the following additional question:
Can a BC pharmacist prescribe for a “first-time” occurrence of a cold sore?
Yes, pharmacists in BC can diagnose and prescribe antiviral medications for patients reporting a “first-time” cold sore. Depending on whether the patient presents with symptomatic primary HSV infection, advice to see another care provider may also be required.
New study shares pharmacists' perspectives on prescribing for minor ailments in B.C.
The Innovations in Pharmacy Journal from University of Minnesota Libraries Publishing recently published the results of a cross-sectional online survey study. The study population was pharmacists practicing in community settings in British Columbia and involved a 28-question survey, completed between July 24 and Sept. 8, 2023.
Abstract:
A total of 246 participants completed all or part of the survey. A majority felt they should be able to assess and prescribe for minor ailments and contraception, and were satisfied with the regulatory changes. Pharmacists had varying degrees of comfort with prescribing for specific patient populations, with the highest for patients >75 years of age and lowest for patients with renal disease. Respondents felt that patients who were without a primary care provider or did not have easy access to walk-in clinics would benefit the most from PPMAC. Pharmacists expressed concerns about their workplace’s level of support for their providing these new services to patients.
Most pharmacist respondents were supportive of and have begun prescribing for minor ailments and contraception in their practices. While they identified many perceived benefits to patient care, workplace barriers may hinder full provision of pharmacist prescribing in their practice.
New adaptation cheat sheet and FAQ available (BCPhA membership required)
On Aug. 1, 2024, additional changes came into effect to Professional Practice Policy 58-Adapting a Prescription. These changes mean that community pharmacists in British Columbia are now able to renew and adapt prescriptions for a wider range of medications with greater flexibility and address several key areas to offer increased access and continuity of care for British Columbians.
The BC Pharmacy Association has redeveloped its Adaptation and Renewal Resources for members, with a new in-depth Frequently Asked Questions section plus a helpful PPP-58 Adapting a Prescription - Cheat Sheet.
The two-page cheat sheet provides information on different types of adaptations, such as renewals, therapeutic substitutions, adaptations of previously adapted prescriptions and more, plus information on the different requirements for adapting prescription drugs and narcotics.*
The expanded FAQ section now includes more than two dozen common questions and answers covering the latest version of PPP-58.
| Adaptation and Renewal Resources |
See the Ministry of Health's data on adaptations and drug administrations
The B.C. Ministry of Health has been tracking the uptake and performance of prescription adaptations and drug administration in B.C. pharmacies since October 2022.
The data set includes information from Oct. 14, 2022 to Oct. 31, 2023 and includes information on:
- Adaptations and emergency fills by pharmacists
- Monthly clinical services by type (adaptations, drug administration, emergency supply)
- Total drug administrations
College identifies areas of non-compliance for minor ailments and contraception services
The College of Pharmacists of BC has been reviewing pharmacy minor ailments and contraception services through Community Pharmacy Practice Reviews since October 2023.
In the second part of its review, published on Oct. 24, 2024, the College has identified three areas of prescribing out of the scope of B.C.'s program.
- Oral antibiotics for conditions other than uncomplicated UTIs - oral antibiotics must not be prescribed for impetigo, acne, insect bites or other conditions
- Treatment of musculoskeletal pain - outside of scope to prescribe non-NSAID drugs such as colchicine and tramadol
- Treatment of allergies/allergic rhinitis - prescribing of montelukast for asthma treatment is outside of scope
To see the first part of the College's review, published in January, please click here.
New medSask guideline and PAR available via BCPhA MACS Portal
medSask has recently launched a new guideline and Pharmacist Assessment Record (PAR) for Contact dermatitis (allergic or irritant), available through the BCPhA MACS Portal.
The MACS Portal provides you to links for resources, videos, FAQs, educational modules, access to medSask* and more to support community pharmacists in B.C.'s minor ailments and contraception assessment program.
Our MACS Portal is available to all: no BCPhA membership required.