The Pharmacist Experience in Canada

Transcription

1 The Pharmacist Experience in Canada Recognition of Professional Qualifications Presented at: Mobility of the Skilled Workforce A European Union/Canada Roundtable September 29 and 30, 2009

2 Presentation Outline Background Role and Mandate Some Key Stakeholders Core Requirements for Licensure Mobility Within Canada International Pharmacy Graduates (IPGs) Moving Forward - Report Recommendations for IPGs Important Challenges for IPGs Conclusion

3 Background NAPRA is a not-for-profit corporation, founded in 1995 with head office in Ottawa Members are the provincial and territorial pharmacy regulatory authorities (PRAs) and collectively regulate Canada s 31,384 (2009) pharmacists -College of Pharmacists of British Columbia -Alberta College of Pharmacists -Saskatchewan College of Pharmacists -Manitoba Pharmaceutical Association -Ontario College of Pharmacists -Ordre des pharmaciens du Québec -New Brunswick Pharmaceutical Society -Nova Scotia College of Pharmacists -Prince Edward Island Pharmacy Board -Newfoundland and Labrador Pharmacy Board -Government of Northwest Territories -Yukon Consumer Services -Canadian Forces Pharmacy Services

4 Role and Mandate NAPRA s Role Facilitates adoption and implementation of best regulatory practices in all pharmacy regulatory authorities in Canada Develop model standards and guidelines Serve as a forum to discuss regulatory issues Common voice on national issues Members Mandate - Public protection - Licensure of pharmacists and pharmacies - Set and enforce high standards of competence and ethical conduct - Guide pharmacists in improving medication use

5 Some Key Stakeholders Foundational documents published by NAPRA: Professional Competencies for Canadian Pharmacists at Entry to Practice and Model Standards of Practice for Canadian Pharmacists Canadian Council of Accreditation of Pharmacy Programs (CCAPP) Main mandate is to evaluate the quality of pharmacy professional degree programs in Canadian universities The Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC) Assess qualifications for pharmacists acceptable to participating pharmacy regulatory authorities

6 Core Requirements for Licensure Five areas: Academic Qualifications Structured Practical Training Language Proficiency Pharmacy Jurisprudence Licensing Exam Qualifications

7 Core Requirements for Licensure (cont.) Academic Qualifications A minimum of a baccalaureat from a CCAPP accredited program at a Canadian university or are substantially equivalent on both academic and clinical training and/or experience Structured Practical Training Complement academic knowledge programs Number of hours and modalities may vary depending on the province or territory Language Proficiency Attainment of a certain level of established standards required in either English or French depending on practice location

8 Core Requirements for Licensure (cont.) Pharmacy Jurisprudence Requires full understanding of the laws related to the dispensing and sale of medications in the applicable province or territory Assessment conducted by individual test or integrated into academic curricula Licensing Exam Qualifications* Successful pass grade obtained on the Qualifying Exam (Parts I and II) administered by PEBC * Except in the province of Québec - exam is not required

9 Mobility Within Canada Labour Mobility Chapter (Chapter 7) of the Agreement on Internal Trade (Industry Canada) First Mutual Recognition Agreement for pharmacists signed in 2001 and renewed in 2009 New title: Mobility Agreement for Canadian Pharmacists Purpose: to establish the conditions under which a pharmacist who is licensed and/or registered in one Canadian jurisdiction will have his/her qualifications recognized in another Canadian jurisdiction

10 International Pharmacy Graduates (IPGs) IPGs competency must be equivalent to Canadian graduate s competency Gaps between level of competencies are often identified and take time to resolve High percentage of IPGs immigrating to Canada received pharmacy training in either Southeast Asia or Middle East Barriers and facilitators to the integration of IPGs into the Canadian workforce were captured in a recent report: Moving Forward Pharmacy Humans Resources for the Future (published by the Canadian Pharmacists Association, 2008)

11 Moving Forward - Report Recommendations for IPGs Establish and maintain a plain-language website with comprehensive information about licensure and integration into pharmacy practice Increase the availability of, and improve access to, pharmacy bridging programs and training for international pharmacy graduates Identify, and promote the adoption of, common standards for teaching and assessment within pharmacy bridging programs for international pharmacy graduates Develop pan-canadian standards and model training programs to support preceptors and mentors of international pharmacy graduates

12 Moving Forward - Report Recommendations for IPGs (cont.) Develop a diagnostic tool and support system to assist international pharmacy graduates in assessing and customizing their learning needs Promote the availability of an interprofessional orientation program on the Canadian health care system, suitable for international pharmacy graduates and other health professionals Develop pan-canadian standards for the level of communicative competency required for safe and effective pharmacy practice

13 Important Challenges for IPGs Communication skills in pharmacy practice Knowledge of Canadian health care system Awareness of the Canadian culture including the standards of practice Equivalency of education and training

14 Conclusion Public protection main priority for NAPRA members to ensure safe and effective pharmacy practice Remains constant guiding principle for current and future activities Internal mobility agreement continue to benefit from the on-going process of agreement s implementation in each province and territory International mobility more complex Opportunities to dialogue and share information among international pharmacy bodies are welcome Need to learn from others experience (e.g. Québec/France and intra European Union) Require substantial research and analysis

15 Thank you!