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.....In February of 2008, the BC Government throne speech made reference to a commitment to broadening the scope of practice for pharmacists. This laid the foundation for a new role for Pharmacists to help manage their patients’ health. Pharmacists are now able to adapt (change) and renew prescriptions. What does this mean to you? This month I will try and answer this question.
.....As of January 1, 2009, your community Peoples Pharmacist now has expanded the services they can offer their patients. The most notable is the ability to renew your existing prescriptions. So does this mean that you will not have to see your Doctor again? No, you will still need to see your Doctor for regular visits. Your Pharmacist is able to refill a prescription that is still valid (less than one year old), and has sufficient knowledge to determine whether it is in everyone’s best interest that you continue this therapy. There are certain drugs that might not be renewed, such as medications for pain, sedatives, sleeping medications, etc. Your Pharmacist might still recommend you see your Doctor if there are questions or concerns about your medication therapy.
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ability to change a new prescription. In the past, if there was a need to change your prescription, your Pharmacist had to first contact the Doctor. These changes may have been required because the dose was incorrect, the drug
 was not available, you had previous adverse reactions to this medication, etc. Now, with your consent, the Pharmacist can adapt your current prescription and notify the Doctor of these changes. Notification should happen within 24 hours.
.....Are Pharmacists qualified to take on this enhanced role? I feel the answer is YES. Your local Peoples Pharmacist has had extensive education, training and
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experience with maintaining your drug therapy. In many cases, your Pharmacist has known you and your health care goals for many years. The College of Pharmacists has also issued comprehensive guidelines regarding adapting and renewing prescriptions.
.....Is your Pharmacist required to renew or adapt prescriptions? No, your Pharmacist must be aware, but not obligated to participate in this new policy. There are several possible reasons for this. Your Pharmacist might not have sufficient information about you or your medical condition to make a decision in your best interest. Your Doctor may have made a notation to not adapt or renew their prescriptions. You also have the option to take up any questions or concerns with your medications directly with your Doctor.
.....So why are all of these changes taking place? There are numerous challenges facing health care professionals, perhaps the greatest is workload. In the February 2008 throne speech, the BC government recognized the pressures of sustaining the current health care system. They called upon health care professionals to try and help alleviate some of this pressure. As experts in medication manage |
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