Current Pharmacy Topics

Question 1

What is the problem with using discount terminology in pharmacy?

Answer 1

It makes us sound like we are compromising care…

Question 2

What is are the problems associated with selling products without evidence-based medicine backing it up?

Answer 2

The problem is that we end up promoting that we don’t really believe it and may instead cause harm.

Question 3

How do Albertans view their pharmacies?

Answer 3

They are most satisfied with traditional pharmacy services like: providing information on how to take medications, what to expect, ensuring they get the right medication and helping select non-prescription items.

Question 4

How did pharmacy technician regulation evolve in the last 15 years?

Answer 4

In 2003, the idea of technician regulation was considered. in 2005, a Letter of Application was sent to the minister of health. In 2006, the ACP decided it would support and be involved in the regulation of technicians. In 2007, there was room in the HPA form pharmacy technicians to be regulated and in 2008 a voluntary register was developed.

Question 5

When were pharmacy technicians regulated?

Answer 5

July 1st 2011

Question 6

What are the requirements of a regulates pharmacy technician?

Answer 6

You have a reserved title of technician.
You need $1 million dollars of malpratice insuraance
You need to have 15 CEUs per years.
Must practice competency and compliance with ACP regulations.

Question 7

What is pharmacy direct supervision?

Answer 7

When the pharmacist is right there to interfere with technician work.

Question 8

What is pharmacy indirect supervision?

Answer 8

The technician is working on their own, but the pharmacist is available to be consulted.

Question 9

Which province was the first to regulate their pharmacy technicians?

Answer 9

Ontario

Question 10

Which provinces do not regulate their technicians?

Answer 10

Quebec
the North West Territories
Yukon
Nunavut

Question 11

How do existing technicians transition into regulation?

Answer 11

(1) They must either have worked 2000 horsu in the last 3 years or be currently on the ACP voluntary register
(2) They must take the PEBC evaluating exam and complete the 4 courses in the bridging program
(3) Write the PEBC qualifying exam
(4) Register with the ACP

Question 12

How to new technicians become regulated?

Answer 12

(1) They must graduated from a CCAPP accredited program.
(2) They must complete structured training practical + take a jurisprudence exam through ACP
(3) Write the PEBC qualifying exam
(4) Register with the ACP

Question 13

Why is it a good thing that pharmacists will be regulated?

Answer 13

Pharmacists will benefit by being able to leave the processing and preparation to the technician and focus on patient care. They patients will benefit by pharmacist being able to focus on comprehensive care. The health system will benefit because HCPs will be used to their full potential.

Question 14

What is an inducement?

Answer 14

An inducement is a range of mechanism and strategies that are designed to encourage consumers to make certain choices like change their pharmacy, remain with their current pharmacy, select particular pharmacy products and obtain products and services on certain days.

Question 15

What is the main argument FOR prohibition of inducements?

Answer 15

They are unprofessional, unethical and effect quality of patient care. They lead to wasted medication and increased costs in the healthcare system and have negative impact on pharmacist reputation.

Question 16

What are the arguments AGAINST prohibition of inducements?

Answer 16

It will result in a negative customer reaction as well as legal action from the free market… they have benefits of creating and maintaining reationships.

Question 17

What are highlights from research on inducements?

Answer 17

70% of pharmacist support their prohibitions and most people believe it targets certain populations: low income and seniors.

Question 18

What does the initial assessment of a patient by a hospital pharmacist involve?

Answer 18

Looking up relevant labs, diagnostic imaging, microbiology and Hx on Netcare. Printing PIN profiles and medication reconciliation. To assess if patient is on appropriate therapy.

Question 19

What are the many “hats” of hospital pharmacists?

Answer 19

Medication reconciliation, patient education, dispensary, education of other HCPs, patient safety, communication with prescribers and working on rounding teams, continuing education, sterile products, committees, manage staff, plan discharges, seamless care and drug information

Question 20

What are hospital pharmacist service shifts?

Answer 20

They encompass 25% of the work: verifying medication orders, assessing if the drug is indicated, dose appropriateness, automatic subsitutions, adapting orders, checking medications, sterile products and NICU

Question 21

What are hospital pharmacy “assistant and technician” roles?

Answer 21

Assitance: receive order of medications, fill ward stock for units, packing of medications, portering medications.
Technician: fill medications, tech check tech, unit dose fillinf, narcotics, sterile products/nicu

Question 22

What are hospital pharmacist clinical shifts?

Answer 22

They encompass 75% of the work… there is lots of diversity: internal medicine, surgery, women’s health, ICU, emergency medicne, cardiology… etc…

Question 23

What are the support and continuing education supports of hospital pharmacists?

Answer 23

Clinical coffee (talking with other pharmacists), Journal Club, CPL/manager support, Pharmacy Grand Rounds, Keeping Current and other rounds.

Question 24

What are the benefits of hospital practice?

Answer 24

The pharmacist is able to utilize the patient/pharmaceutical care process and technique on a daily basis. There is a lot of diversity in areas of practice and you work in IP teams. There is a good work-life balance and continuing education and a fun environment.

Question 25

What is a hospital pharmacy residency?

Answer 25

It is a one year post-grad program. It consist of 8-10 one month rotations and a full year research project. There is involvement in case presentations, Journal Clubs and in-services. It is a highly sought after program and an hourly wage is involved.

Question 26

Do you require a hospital residency to work in the hospital?

Answer 26

Not in AB and SK…

Question 27

What are drive through pharmacies? Why do they undermine pharmacy as a profession?

Answer 27

They are literally pharmacies with a drive through window. They tend to result in missed patient care, this is not expected from any other healthcare professionals and a lot of issues come up with refills.