New Website Coming Soon!
To align with the recent name change to the College of Pharmacy of Newfoundland and Labrador (CPNL), an updated website has been developed and will be launched at cpnl.ca in early March.
In addition to changes to the logo and name, page content, navigation menus, and other design changes have been incorporated to reflect feedback collected from a survey conducted in late summer 2024. Check out the next issue of The Apothecary scheduled for later in March for a detailed look at the results of the survey and how this feedback was incorporated into the updated design.
As CPNL transitions to its new website over the next week, no new content will be posted to the site. As such, an online version of this issue of The PostScript will not be posted to the site until this transition is complete.
Upcoming Webinar: MedSTEP NL – Shared Learning for Medication Safety
Join the College of Pharmacy of Newfoundland and Labrador (CPNL) on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, 6:30 pm-7:30 pm (NST) for a presentation of Newfoundland and Labrador’s inaugural summary report from the National Incident Data Repository (NIDR) following the province-wide implementation of CPNL’s Continuous Quality Improvement and Medication Incident Reporting program for Community Pharmacies, MedSTEP NL.
In this webinar, CPNL’s Interim Director of Quality and Pharmacy Licensing, Beth McGrath, will provide an overview of the NL NIDR Summary Report, offer strategies for mitigating the most prevalent contributing factors, and present recommendations for effectively integrating MedSTEP NL requirements into community pharmacy operations.
Date:Â March 26, 2025
Time: 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Presenter: Beth McGrath, Interim Director of Quality and Pharmacy Licensing, CPNL
Click to Register
This webinar will be hosted through Microsoft Teams.
New Registration Categories: Pharmacy Technician Students and Pharmacy Technician Interns
As previously announced in the December 2024 issue of The PostScript, the new Pharmacy Act, 2024 creates new registration categories for Pharmacy Technician Students and Pharmacy Technician Interns.
Registration applications for these new categories are available now on the CPNL Application Portal under the Application Type heading of Pharmacy Technician Student/Intern Applications. Please ensure you have completed the correct application before submission.
Interested candidates should note that the requirements for registration are comparable to other categories of registration and include:
- Requesting proof of enrollment or graduation from your education institution that is sent directly to CPNL
- Requesting a certificate of conduct from Sterling BackCheck that is sent directly to CPNL in accordance with CPNL’s Certificate of Conduct Requirements for Registration.
- Obtaining and uploading a certificate of professional liability insurance coverage in accordance with CPNL’s Professional Liability Insurance Requirements for Registration.
- Having and uploading a piece of government-issued photo identification in accordance with CPNL’s Photo Identification Requirements for Registration.
More details about the requirements and the application process can be found on the Register as a Pharmacy Technician page of our website.
When Registration is Required
While registration is only mandatory for Pharmacy Technician Interns applying to complete the CPNL Practical Training Program for Pharmacy Technicians, it should be noted that:
- Only those who are registered may identify themselves as a Pharmacy Technician Student or Pharmacy Technician Intern when interacting with the public.
- Only those who are registered are permitted to practice within the scope of a Pharmacy Technician (when under the appropriate supervision of a Pharmacy Technician or Pharmacist).
If you employ a student of a pharmacy technician program or a recent graduate, you should encourage them to register with CPNL so that they may get the most out of their experience, and are able to identify themselves appropriately when interacting with the public.
Call for Expression of Interest: Hospital SOPO Task Force
CPNL is seeking interested hospital pharmacists and pharmacy technicians to serve as members of a task force to assist in updating the CPNL Standards of Pharmacy Operation for Hospital Pharmacies. For more information about the task force’s role, please contact Beth McGrath, Interim Director of Quality and Pharmacy Licensing at bmcgrath@nlpb.ca.
If you are interested in participating, please submit your name, contact information, a brief bio, and a few lines about why you would like to be a member of this task force to inforx@nlpb.ca by March 21, 2025.
Professional Development Recording Blackout Period
As stated in a previous email, CPNL is currently working with the provider of our Registration and Licensing Management System to update the professional development online form to adapt to the updated professional development requirements as per the Interpretation Guide – Professional Development Requirements. As this work is still underway, CPNL will be extending the blackout period for recording learning activities in the Registrant Portal. We encourage pharmacists and pharmacy technicians to maintain their own records of any learning activity they complete during this period for input into the Registrant Portal once the blackout period has ended.
Once the work has been completed to update the system, CPNL will notify registered pharmacy professionals that the blackout period has ended.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
NAPRA Position: Pharmacy Student for Summer 2025
The National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities (NAPRA) is presently recruiting a Pharmacy Student. Pharmacy students who are currently enrolled in an accredited Canadian pharmacist program can send an expression of interest by submitting a cover letter and resume to Sarah ter Huurne, Senior Pharmacist Specialist, Professional and Regulatory Affairs, at sterhuurne@napra.ca.
Applications close on March 16, 2025.
Review the full job posting for a description of key responsibilities and requirements.
NLCSU Substance Use Information Sheet – Non-Medical Benzodiazepines
The Newfoundland and Labrador Centre on Substance Use (NLCSU) has developed its first substance use information sheet, designed to support healthcare providers in better understanding and addressing specific substances currently found in the toxic drug supply.
Click the link below to view or download the information sheet:
Substance Information Sheet: Non-medical Benzodiazepines
Canadian Post COVID-19 Condition (CAN-PCC) Project
The CAN-PCC project, led by Cochrane Canada and the MacGRADE Centre, is developing evidence-based guidelines on Post COVID-19 Condition, also known as Long COVID, in Canada. The project is scientifically and financially supported by the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) and engages experts, patients, and stakeholders from across the country.
Visit canpcc.ca for recommendations and good practice statements or to register for an upcoming webinar.
Regular Reminders
Scheduling Appointments with Staff
CPNL staff are here to assist and support you. If you wish to meet with a staff member in person, please call to schedule an appointment before visiting our office. Having details regarding your inquiry will help us appropriately prioritize and prepare to answer your question if we need to collect additional information before calling you back or meeting with you. If you are unable to reach the staff person by phone, please leave a detailed message. Voicemails are regularly checked, and staff members get email alerts when a message is left on their phone line.
Keeping Contact Information Up to Date
Registered pharmacy professionals are responsible for ensuring that the contact information on their registrant profile, including email address and practice site, is accurate at all times. CPNL primarily uses email communication to send newsletters, renewal reminders, practice site assessment information, professional development audit information, calls for interest for committees, and other alerts. If the email address on file is incorrect, important information may be missed and/or disclosed to the wrong person. If your contact information changes, please update your information on file by logging into the Registrant Portal.