Manitoba pharmacists pass new regulations for expanded scope of practice envisioned 7 years ago

Abstract

A journey that began for Manitoba’s pharmacy profession close to 7 years ago passed a critical milestone in late July of 2013—when members of the Manitoba Pharmaceutical Association (MPhA) approved regulations supporting the province’s Pharmaceutical Act of December 2006. In a message sent to the membership on July 30, MPhA president Kyle MacNair announced that members had voted 90% in favour of the regulatory package, which implemented pharmacist authority in such areas as immunization, the ordering of lab tests and independent prescribing. Manitoba is the only province in which regulatory changes must be approved by a majority of licensed pharmacists in a vote. Two previous votes on proposed regulations had been held; in 2008, pharmacists voted against the first draft and then in 2010, approved an amended version. However, since that last vote, further changes were made in concert with the provincial government and the MPhA called for yet another vote by the membership. The target was to have the regulations in place for January 1, 2014.