Submissions to Governing Bodies

The BC Pharmacy Association is committed to representing the views and interests of our members to government and regulatory decision makers on policy and legislative matters. Our submissions are an important part of the Association’s active advocacy. These submissions are aimed at helping to ensure that government initiatives or regulations related to health care have a positive impact on pharmacists, pharmacy services and operations as well as patients.

Jan. 12, 2024 - BCPhA submission to the College of Pharmacists of British Columbia on the Medication Incident Reporting Initiative

The BC Pharmacy Association was asked to provide feedback on the College's Medication Incident Reporting initiative. The BCPhA supports the College's efforts to improve public safety. Mandatory anonymous medication incident reporting will ensure pharmacy professionals can improve their practice by learning from their mistakes in order to avoid them in the future. The BCPhA has provided feedback to four questions posed around challenges to uptake, timelines and software platforms and meetings. 

November 2023 - B.C. Rural Pharmacies: Challenges and Recommendations

The BC Pharmacy Association submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Health on the long-standing challenges in rural pharmacy practice, which include, but are not limited to, workforce shortages, difficultly in recruiting and retaining pharmacists and staff, lack of locum/relief support, lack of digital infrastructure, shortage of housing, and no formal mentorship/ education to support new graduates or out-of-province pharmacists considering rural practice. The BCPhA has made eight recommendations to help address these.

June 9, 2023 - BCPhA submission to the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services for the 2024 Budget

The BC Pharmacy Association highlights the work of B.C.'s pharmacists in filling the gaps in care from the COVID-19 pandemic onward -- from increased adaptations and renewals to now pharmacist prescribing, as well as the role pharmacists can play in the battle against the opioid crisis and how B.C.'s pharmacists can provide even greater access to care for British Columbians.

June 13, 2023 - BCPhA remarks to the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services

CEO Geraldine Vance was invited to present to B.C.’s Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services as part of B.C.’s 2024 Budget consultations.

July 14, 2022 - BCPhA presentation to the B.C. Legislature Select Standing Committee on Health

BC Pharmacy Association CEO Geraldine Vance presents live remarks to the British Columbia Legislature Select Standing Committee on Health on the topic of pharmacy services for people with opioid use disorder and how pharmacists should be consulted in the creation of guidelines for "safer supply" harm reduction projects. 

July 5, 2022 - BCPhA submission to the B.C. Legislature Select Standing Committee on Health

The BC Pharmacy Association sends a written submission to B.C. government on the province's drug toxicity and overdose crisis. In particular, the Association provided input on "safer supply" for drug users and opioid agonist treatment.

March 2, 2022 - BCPhA remarks to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Health (HESA) 

CEO Geraldine Vance was invited to present to the federal Standing Committee on Health about its study on Canada's Health Workforce.

September 28, 2021 - BCPhA submission to the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services for the 2022 Budget

The BC Pharmacy Association highlights the work of B.C.'s pharmacists during the COVID-19 pandemic and our ongoing role in the COVID-19 immunization program, the opportunities for pharmacists to help in the fight against the opioid crisis and how B.C.'s pharmacists can help in the delivery of primary care.

June 29, 2020 - COVID-19 Community Testing in Community Pharmacy

The BC Pharmacy Association writes Minister Adrian Dix to communicate that pharmacists are prepared to take on COVID-19 testing and on the administration of a COVID-19 vaccine once one is available.

April 27, 2020 - COVID-19 Community Testing and Vaccinations Moving Forward

BC Pharmacy Association writes Dr. Bonnie Henry to discuss personal protective equipment for pharmacists and next steps in the COVID-19 pandemic.

May 1, 2020 - BCPhA submission to College of Pharmacists on temporary changes for dispensing drugs for the purposes of Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD)

The BC Pharmacy Association provided comment on a proposed bylaw amendment to the Health Professions Act that allows temporary changes for dispensing drugs for the purpose of MAiD allowing them to be restocked during the COVID-19 outbreak if certain conditions are met.

Jan. 9, 2020 - BCPhA submission to Steering Committee on Modernization of Health Professional Regulation

The BC Pharmacy Association provides feedback on the consultation paper Modernizing the provincial health profession regulatory framework: A paper for consultation, which contains proposals to significantly change the way health-care professions are regulated in B.C.

Sept. 12, 2019 - BCPhA submission on proposed amendments to PODSA bylaws

The BC Pharmacy Association has carefully reviewed the College of Pharmacists of B.C.'s proposed amendments to the Pharmacy Operations and Drug Scheduling Act bylaws. In consultation with BCPhA legal counsel Sara A. Levine, Q.C., the BCPhA has filed a response to communicate BCPhA’s position on the proposed amendments.

July 31, 2019 - BCPhA submission opposing importing Canadian drugs to the U.S.

The BCPhA provided a submission to Minister Adrian Dix, asking him to urge the federal government and Health Canada to implement legislation or regulations to restrict U.S. importation of Canadian drugs.

June 6, 2019 - BCPhA submission on the Cayton Report
The BCPhA provided a submission to the Steering Committee (the “Committee”) established to respond to Part Two of the Cayton Report (the “Cayton Report”). The committee plans to develop a proposal for modernization of the health regulatory regime.

November 26, 2018 - BCPhA submission to the College of Pharmacists of BC regarding Patient Relations Program Standard
The BC Pharmacy Association has reviewed the Patient Relations Program Standard and the Patient Relations Program Information document. Given the complexities of investigating these types of complaints, at this time the Association believes the College has struck a practical balance between ensuring complainants are supported and heard, and the need to respect the legal rights of registrants involved in an administrative proceeding. The Association looks forward to reviewing the results of the evaluation of the program in due course.

October 15, 2018 - BCPhA submission to the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services for the 2019 Budget
The BCPhA is recommending pharmacists are recognized as an integral part of the health-care team and are appropriately compensated for the full range of services they are able to provide; pharmacy is recognized and treated as an integral part of the interdisciplinary health-care team and vital to the planning and provision of health care to the public; and pharmacists are able to practice the profession of pharmacy at the highest levels and fullest extent.

November 2, 2017 - BCPhA Submission on the updated draft framework for Certified Pharmacist Prescriber

The BCPhA made its submission to the College of Pharmacists of BC on its updated draft framework of Certified Pharmacist Prescriber Initiative on November 2, 2017.

October 23, 2017 - BCPhA Submission on B.C. Cannabis Regulation
The BCPhA was invited by the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General to make a submission on the impending legalization of cannabis in Canada in 2018.

October 13, 2017 - BCPhA submission to the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services for the 2018 Budget
The BCPhA is recommending expanding the scope of pharmacists to improve access to care in rural and remote areas, promoting virtual care hubs with strong interdisciplinary collaboration and leveraging technology.

July 25, 2017 - BCPhA submission to the College of Pharmacists of British Columbia and the Ministry of Health
The BCPhA comments on the proposed amendments to the Pharmacy Operations and Drug Scheduling Act Bylaw and to the proposed Telepharmacy Standards of Practice, posted in April 2017.

September 23, 2016 - BCPhA submission to the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services for the 2017 Budget
The BCPhA is recommending expanding the scope of pharmacists to improve access to care in rural and remote areas, promoting virtual care hubs with strong interdisciplinary collaboration and leveraging technology.

July 28, 2016 – BCPhA submission to the Select Standing Committee on Health
The BCPhA submitted a number of recommendations on Health Care Sustainability to the Select Standing Committee on Health on July 28, 2016.

July 20, 2016 – BCPhA submission on the Certified Pharmacist Prescriber Initiative Draft Framework 
The BCPhA has made its submission to the College of Pharmacists of BC on its Certified Pharmacist Prescriber Initiative Draft Framework on July 20, 2016.

June 21, 2016 - BCPhA comments on proposed amendments to the College bylaws 
The BCPhA has submitted its comments on the proposed amendments to the Pharmacy Operations and Drug Scheduling Act Bylaw and to the proposed Professional Practice Policy 74 Community Pharmacy Security.

June 15, 2016 - BCPhA submission on Medical Assistance in Dying: Recommendations for Implementation in Community Pharmacies 
These recommendations were drafted in anticipation that the federal legislation, which will exempt health-care providers and those assisting them, in providing Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID), will be in place by June 2016, with provincial guidelines to follow.  The BC Pharmacy Association assembled an expert working group to address the concerns of members who will be responsible for dispensing medications intended for MAID in British Columbia.

February, 2016 - Drug Schedule Working Committee Final Report 
At its September 2015 meeting, the BCPhA Board approved a motion to create a Schedule II and III Drug Schedule Working Committee to review and make recommendations/suggested changes to the College of Pharmacists of BC drug scheduling. 

January 12, 2016 - BCPhA letter to the College of Pharmacists of BC on draft security bylaws and PPP-74
The BCPhA drafted a letter to the College as part of its stakeholder process on the draft security bylaws and Professional Practice Policy 74 Community Pharmacy Security. 

June 3, 2015 - BCPhA response to the Methadone Maintenance Payment Program Review
In January 2015, the Ministry of Health’s Medical Beneficiary and Pharmaceutical Services Division released its Methadone Maintenance Payment Program Review. As a key stakeholder, the BCPhA was invited to submit comments on the review.

May 28, 2015 - BCPhA Submission on Proposed College Bylaws
The BCPhA has submitted its comments on the proposed amendments to the Health Professions Act bylaws and Professional Practice Policies.