8 - Drug Diversion

Question 1

What is the purpose of CPhM?

Answer 1

• Protection of the public

- Licensing

Question 2

What happens when a complaint is submitted?

Answer 2

Pharmacist is notified to give opportunity to respond

Question 3

What are the possible decisions of the complaints committee?

Answer 3

• Formal correspondence
• Investigate
• Censure (written warning that pharmacist must accept and has to go in front of committee and discuss what they learned; meant to be educational)
• Accept voluntary surrender
• Undertaking w/ registrant (ex: regular drug testing)
• Agreement w/ registrant (ex: agreement to undergo counselling)
• Suspension
• Referral to discipline

Question 4

What happens if a complaint is referred to discipline?

Answer 4

Investigated person and complainant served w/ notice of referral and Notice of Hearing

Question 5

What are the possible decisions of the discipline panel?

Answer 5

• Reprimand
• Practice restrictions (ex: can’t be preceptor for 5 years; can’t be manager for 5 years)
• Professional development
• Suspend licence or certificate
• Fine
• Counselling/tx (ex: meet w/ psychologist and provide proof to College)
• Agreement w/ registrant
• Repayment
• Suspension

Question 6

Define fitness to practice

Answer 6

• Skills, knowledge, and character to practice safely and effectively
• Qualities and capabilities of an individual relevant to their capacity to practice, including freedom from any cognitive, physical, psychological, or emotional dysfunction

Question 7

What happens once a pharmacist voluntarily surrenders their licence?

Answer 7

Meet w/ a committee to try to get them back to practice; may have some limitations

Question 8

What is the difference between limitations after voluntarily surrendering your licence vs. limitations after accepting a censure or other discipline?

Answer 8

• Voluntary surrender = limitations are imposed

- Censure or other discipline = agree w/ committee to certain conditions

Question 9

What are some tips to prevent drug diversion?

Answer 9

• Routine narcotic and controlled drug counts
• Be aware of “manual adjustments”
• Narcotic and controlled drug ordering and receiving
• Random checks on CDSA drugs dispensed by the pharmacy
• Expired and pt-returned CDSA drugs
• Criminal record checks for non-regulated pharmacy staff
• Minimize # of personal belongings in the dispensary
• Listen to the px (ex: lack of pain relief; shorted on CDSA medication)
• When in doubt, contact CPhM