Discontinuing Fax Line
CPNL will be discontinuing its fax line as of the end of May 2026.
All documents related to registration and pharmacy licensing applications can be submitted through CPNL’s online portals. All other documents, including Loss or Theft Reports, can be sent by email to inforx@cpnl.ca.
Consultation Opportunity: Code of Ethics
The current CPNL Code of Ethics was originally approved in 2014, making it more than 10 years old and now due for replacement. CPNL is currently inviting feedback on a proposed new Code of Ethics.
The proposed new Code of Ethics was informed by a comprehensive needs assessment that set out a direction to ensure it is easily adopted and used, and remains relevant and adaptable in the years to come. For more information on the needs assessment, please refer to the Code of Ethics Consultation Background Document.
CPNL invites feedback from pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, students, and interns, and encourages you to share the survey with other pharmacy staff, management, and owners. Your feedback will help inform the final draft of the Code of Ethics and the related implementation strategy.
FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO TAKE THE SURVEY, VISIT:
If you are unable to access the survey by clicking the link, copy and paste the link into your web browser’s address bar.
Please Note: You can leave the survey and resume it later if you use the same computer and the same browser. If you attempt to resume the survey on another computer or using a different browser, you will have to restart the survey from the beginning.
Individual survey responses are anonymous and confidential.
The deadline for submitting your response is Wednesday, May 20, 2026.
If you have any questions regarding the purpose of the survey or the use of survey data, please contact the Deputy Registrar and Director of Practice & Registration, Melanie Healey, at mhealey@cpnl.ca or 709-753-5877 ext. 103.
We appreciate your time and look forward to your feedback.
Authorization for Pharmacist-Ordered Lab Tests
As noted in the October issue of The PostScript, Standards of Practice for Pharmacist-Ordered Laboratory Tests have been approved by the CPNL Board of Directors and published on the Ordering Laboratory Tests page of the CPNL website
To ensure pharmacists have the knowledge required to support clinical decision-making, accessing results, and interpreting and responding to test findings, completion of an education and training program will be required for authorization. CPNL has been working closely with Memorial University’s School of Pharmacy on the development of a program that fulfills these needs, for which registration is now open. Pharmacists applying for authorization to order laboratory tests will be required to complete either:
Upon completion of education requirements, pharmacists can now apply to become authorized in this area of practice through the CPNL Registrant Portal.
For more information, visit the Ordering Laboratory Tests page of the CPNL website.
Health Canada Exemption – Pharmacist Administration of Controlled Substances
Following consultation with provinces and territories, on April 1, 2026, Health Canada issued a class exemption pursuant to subsection 56(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) to authorize pharmacists across Canada to administer controlled substances, other than restricted drugs, to a patient, provided the drug has been prescribed to a patient by a practitioner and provided the pharmacist is authorized to administer the controlled substance under the laws of the province or territory where the administration takes place. The exemption is now in force and will remain in effect when the new Controlled Substances Regulations come into force on October 1, 2026. Visit the Health Canada website to view the exemption.
This exemption is necessary since this common practice is not included under the current CDSA regulations or the upcoming Controlled Substances Regulations. Pharmacists in Newfoundland and Labrador authorized to administer drug therapy by inhalation or injection may continue to administer controlled substances pursuant to a prescription from an authorized practitioner, and if they are competent to do so as per CPNL’s Standards of Practice for the Administration of Drug Therapy by Inhalation or Injection.
Call for Expression of Interest – Pharmacy Practice Advisory Committee
CPNL is currently seeking a pharmacy technician who works primarily in a community pharmacy to join the Pharmacy Practice Advisory Committee.
The Pharmacy Practice Advisory Committee is a standing committee of CPNL whose role is to assist the board in meeting its goals of protecting the public and ensuring quality and ethical care by advising on current or new standards related to pharmacy professionals’ scope of practice. In fulfilling its role, the committee may:
As per its terms of reference, the Pharmacy Practice Advisory Committee is composed of a practicing community pharmacist, hospital pharmacist, community pharmacy technician, and hospital pharmacy technician, as well as representatives of the NL Branch of the Canadian Society of Healthcare Systems Pharmacy, the Pharmacists Association of Newfoundland and Labrador, the College of Physicians and Surgeons, the College of Registered Nurses of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Memorial University School of Pharmacy, the Department of Health and Community Services, and a CPNL board member and staff member.
If you are interested, please submit your name, contact information, a brief bio, and a few lines about why you are interested in being part of the committee to inforx@cpnl.ca.
ISMP Canada Shared Learning:
Fatal Outcome with Sodium Phosphate Enemas
Incident Description
ISMP Canada received a report describing the death of an individual who experienced severe electrolyte abnormalities due to an excess of sodium phosphate administered by enema. Multiple contributing factors were identified in the review of this incident, and learning was shared by the hospital.
Key Recommendations
Conclusion
Sodium phosphate administered by enema can cause significant harm when given in excess. Proactive testing of the CPOE, pharmacy information, and eMAR systems for technology-related vulnerabilities can identify gaps and support patient safety. This learning may be applicable to other medications for which several doses may be ordered over a short period of time.
To learn more, check out the recent ISMP Canada Safety Bulletin, which focuses on the technology-related aspects of the incident, highlighting opportunities to review and test the configurations and functions of electronic medication systems to prevent or mitigate harm.
Upcoming NLCSU Workplace Wellness Workshop
Workshop Description
The Other Wet Floor is a “re-orientation” for people in healthcare and helping professions and examines the psychological and emotional risk factors that are the most common sources of work-related disease: empathic strain, secondary traumatic exposure, burnout, and moral distress. Participants will have the opportunity to examine organizational practices as well as their own personal risk factors to consider how their work impacts their overall well-being. Most importantly, this workshop challenges perspectives that focus on the individual weaknesses or resiliency of
helpers and shifts attention and accountability to the systems that we work in.
Learning Objectives
About J.D. Gilmour
J.D. is the Manager of Employee Abilities & Return to Work at Health PEI and a global consultant on psychological safety. His expertise in neuroscience and labor law ensures this won’t just be a theoretical talk, but a masterclass in practical, systemic change.
Details
REGISTER HERE: https://nlchi-nl-ca.zoom.us/meeting/register/J3WZdbRXR-KFyqxCyb-bEg
Between the Gaps Survey Opportunity for Healthcare Providers
Between the Gaos is a cross-sectional survey of healthcare providers exploring prescription drug coverage barriers to accessing STBBI treatment (Ethics ID: H25-00503)
Participation Details
Survey link: BetweenTheGapsSurvey
LinkedIn link: BetweenTheGapsLinkedIn
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to:
Eligible respondents (Canadian healthcare providers working with underserved or priority populations) may also enter a draw to win one of ten $50 gift cards to Canadian retailers.
ISMP Canada MED Safety EXCHANGE WEBINAR
MAY 27, 2026 1:30 PM NST
REPORT · SHARE · LEARN · IMPROVE
Join your colleagues across Canada for complimentary 50-minute webinars to share, learn and discuss incident reports, trends and emerging issues in medication safety!
WEBINAR OUTLINE:
CAPT Annual Spring Conference
The 2026 Canadian Association of Pharmacy Technicians (CAPT) Annual Conference is happening May 29-31 in Toronto.
Created by pharmacy technicians, for pharmacy technicians across Canada, this conference is a chance to enhance your knowledge, explore new techniques, and connect with peers who share a passion for the profession.
2026 Program Highlights
9 CEUs | CCCEP Accreditation Pending
NLCSU – Harm Reduction AND Learning Opportunities
nEW rESOURCE
The Newfoundland and Labrador Centre on Substance Use (NLCSU) has developed a new Understanding Harm Reduction information sheet outlining evidence-based harm reduction strategies and provincial resources designed to enhance the safety and well-being of individuals who use substances.
Access the Understanding Harm Reduction information sheet through the NLCSU Dropbox Knowledge Repository.
uPCOMING tRAINING oPPORTUNITY – hARM rEDUCTION 101
The NLCSU is excited to offer a Harm Reduction 101 training session hosted by Provincial Harm Reduction Consultant, Jane Henderson, on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, from 1:00-2:00 pm NDT.
This session is intended for health care professionals, service providers, and anyone interested in learning more about substance use health. The training will provide an introduction to harm reduction principles, approaches, and practical strategies to support people who use substances.
Registration is now open: https://nlchi-nl-ca.zoom.us/meeting/register/ShNL8Tx6RA6bzbTiElsHBw
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.