SCPP Media Release on Bill 151

Regina, SK – Saskatchewan College of Pharmacy Professionals (SCPP) is pleased to announce a historic development in pharmacy that happened on October 5, 2015 with the proclamation of Bill 151. On October 16, 2015, upon publication of the Minister of Health’s approval in the Saskatchewan Gazette, the revised Regulatory Bylaws came into force along with the accompanying SCPP standards and policies.

President Bill Gerla says, “The Saskatchewan College of Pharmacy Professionals has been working for the past two years on the changes that are in The Pharmacy and Pharmacy Disciplines Act. These changes allow pharmacists to expand their scope of practise. The people of Saskatchewan are the ultimate beneficiaries. Because of accessibility and convenience, pharmacists will play a greater role in ensuring quality health care in Saskatchewan.”

Bill 151 is called “An Act to amend The Pharmacy Act, 1996 and to make consequential amendments to other Acts.” The main outcomes of the Bill are:
1) Changes the name of the Act to The Pharmacy and Pharmacy Disciplines Act (the “Act”);
2) Changes the former name of Saskatchewan College of Pharmacists (SCP) to Saskatchewan College of Pharmacy Professionals (SCPP); and authorizes:
a. SCPP to regulate pharmacy technicians as licensed members practicing in an independent defined scope of practice with title protection;
b. Pharmacists to administer drugs by injection and other routes; and,
c. Pharmacists to order, access and use medical laboratory tests.

SCPP Registrar, Ray Joubert, says, “This is an exciting time for the pharmacy profession. Bill 151 has increased the services pharmacy professionals can provide to the public. Pharmacists now have the authority to be even more integrated and proactive as part of the patient’s health care team. The welcome addition of regulated pharmacy technicians also works to support the pharmacist in their enhanced scope of practice. We see the proclamation of Bill 151 as very positive, both for the professions and for the betterment of patient care.”

Before members may engage in the practices authorized under the Act, especially administration of the publicly funded flu vaccine, pharmacists must successfully complete the required training and receive the Advanced Method Certification certificate from SCPP.

Currently, there are 245 Saskatchewan pharmacies that have at least one pharmacist on staff who is certified to give the flu vaccine. If a member of the public would like to know if their pharmacist is certified to give the influenza vaccination, they can go to the SCPP website at www.saskpharm.ca under “Injections & Other Routes” to search by company name, city or Regional Health Authority (RHA).
About the Saskatchewan College of Pharmacy Professionals (SCPP)

The Saskatchewan College of Pharmacy Professionals is the self-governing body for the profession of pharmacy in the province. Under authority of The Pharmacy and Pharmacy Disciplines Act, SCPP regulates pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, pharmacies and drugs.

For more information:
Ray J. Joubert
Registrar
Saskatchewan College of Pharmacy Professionals
306.584.2292
ray.joubert@saskpharm.ca