Pharmacy Appreciation Month
As we reach the end of Pharmacy Appreciation Month, CPNL would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to the pharmacy professionals of NL for your dedication and commitment to providing equitable and quality care in the best interest of the public you serve. As a pharmacy professional, you play a vital role in our healthcare system and in supporting the health and well-being of the public.
Changes to Preceptoring
Going forward, pharmacists and pharmacy technicians who wish to serve as a preceptor to an intern will no longer be required to first apply for authorization but instead will certify that they meet the preceptor requirements each time they agree to act as a preceptor to an intern using the Preceptor Acceptance Form. This form is required to be submitted by the intern with their Application to Complete Practical Training.
The updated CPNL Interpretation Guide – Preceptor Requirements, which includes eligibility requirements and the expectations of the preceptor during practical training, is available on the Preceptoring page of the CPNL website: https://cpnl.ca/registration/managing-your-registration/preceptoring/
Changes to Pharmacist in Charge Designation Process
As per the new licensing policy, Requirements to be Designated Pharmacist-in-Charge of a Pharmacy, which was approved by the board on January 31st, CPNL will no longer issue a standing authorization to be designated a pharmacist-in-charge (PIC). PICs are now approved on a per-pharmacy basis.
To apply to become designated a PIC of an existing pharmacy, both the current PIC and the proposed PIC are required to apply for the change. The current PIC must complete and submit their application along with payment through the Pharmacy Portal. The proposed PIC must complete and submit their application (no payment required) through their profile in the Registrant Portal. Both applications must be submitted before the change can be processed.
At this time, the completion of a PIC education program is no longer a requirement to become the designated PIC of a pharmacy. In the future, CPNL will be developing an updated PIC education program that aligns with CPNL’s new regulatory framework and promotes management competencies to support PICs in fulfilling their roles.
If you have any questions regarding the changes in the process to become a designated PIC of a pharmacy, contact licensing@cpnl.ca.
Updated MAID Reporting Guidance Document
Health Canada recently published an updated guidance document – Reporting Requirements under the Regulations for the Monitoring of Medical Assistance in Dying. The document is meant to support health professionals, including pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, involved in the assessment and/or provision of MAID to fulfill their reporting obligations under the regulations.
The updated guidance document provides additional details on what constitutes a request for MAID, when a report is required and what must be reported, as well as clarification on some reporting requirements, terms, and concepts.
MedSTEP NL – Shared Learning for Medication Safety Webinar Available Online
The recent webinar, MedSTEP NL: Shared Learning for Medication Safety, is now available online through the CPNL Learn Portal. Log in to your Learn Portal account to view: https://learn.cpnl.ca/
The webinar provides an overview of the NL NIDR Summary Report, offers strategies for mitigating the most prevalent contributing factors, and presents recommendations for effectively integrating MedSTEP NL requirements into community pharmacy operations.
ISMP Canada Safety Bulletin
Each month, ISMP Canada publishes a Safety Bulletin, which discusses recent reported medication events as well as strategies to prevent medication errors and mitigate harm.
Pharmacy professionals are encouraged to subscribe to and regularly review these bulletins as they are relatable and applicable to all areas of pharmacy practice.
For example, this month’s issue focuses on issues associated with community pharmacists prescribing and administering vaccines and provides numerous tips throughout that can be integrated into daily practice to inform continuous improvement in these areas of practice.
Visit the Health Canada & ISMP Advisories page of the CPNL website for links to recent issues.
NLCSU Project Echo NL: Substance Use (Cycle 4)
Upcoming Cycle 4 Sessions
| Session 1: Hepatitis C in Newfoundland and Labrador: Priority Populations, Screening, and Management Date/Time: Wednesday, April 2, 2025 (12:00-1:15pm NDT; 11:30am-12:45 pm ADT) Speaker: Darryl Burke CLICK HERE TO REGISTER by March 31, 2025 |
| Session 2: Complex but Treatable: Introduction to Concurrent Disorders Date/Time: Wednesday, April 16, 2025 (12:00-1:15pm NDT; 11:30am-12:45 pm ADT) Speaker: Dr. Jennifer Brasch CLICK HERE TO REGISTER by April 14, 2025 |
| Session 3: Adverse Childhood Effects and Substance Use Date/Time: Wednesday, April 30, 2025 (12:00-1:15pm NDT; 11:30am-12:45 pm ADT) Speaker: Paula Delahunty CLICK HERE TO REGISTER by April 28, 2025 |
| Session 4: Understanding the Link Between Cannabis and Psychosis: Implications for Policy and Treatment Date/Time: Wednesday, May 14, 2025 (12:00-1:15pm NDT; 11:30am-12:45 pm ADT) Speaker: Dr. Phil Tibbo CLICK HERE TO REGISTER by May 12, 2025 |
| Session 5: Substance Use Care for Rural and Remote Populations in Newfoundland and Labrador Date/Time: Wednesday, May 28, 2025 (12:00 – 1:15pm NDT; 11:30am – 12:45pm ADT) Speaker: Martha North CLICK HERE TO REGISTER by May 26, 2025 |
| Session 6: A Stimulating Discussion About Replacement Therapies and Treatment: Stimulant Use Disorder Date/Time: Wednesday, June 11, 2025 (8:30-9:45am NDT; 8:00 – 9:15am ADT) Speaker: Dr. Sara Davidson CLICK HERE TO REGISTER by June 9, 2025 |
Please direct any questions to NLCSU.ECHO@nlhealthservices.ca
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.