On December 15, 2023, ACP sent an email to regulated members providing notice of a 60-day consultation for draft Standards for the Operation of Licensed Pharmacies (SOLP). Regulated members are encouraged to review the draft standards and provide their feedback to the college.
The existing standards were developed in 2007 and, since then, have only had minor amendments to address pharmacy technicians, animal health, requirements for time-delayed safes, and other small changes consequential to legislative amendments. In 2020, ACP Council identified a strategic goal to ensure “there is a modern and relevant framework to regulate pharmacy practice.” A key objective of this goal is to ensure “standards are current, relevant, clear, concise, and appropriately balance inputs, processes, and outputs.” Council believes that updating these standards is important to enable and support safe, effective, and responsible pharmacy practices into the future.
Similar to the draft Standards of Practice for Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians, the draft SOLP have been organized into six domains.
- Each domain has a domain statement that summarizes and contextualizes the standards within that domain.
- Within each domain, the standards are divided into sections by topic, similar to the existing standards. Under each topic there are the outcome-based standards noted by two numbers (e.g., 1.1, 2.1). These standards are written as person-centred outcomes and are broad.
- Under each outcome-based standard, there are descriptive standards noted by three numbers (e.g., 1.1.1, 1.1.2). These descriptive standards support the outcome standards and are more specific. The descriptive standards are grouped by their target audience (e.g., licensee, proprietor, operations supervisor).
The six domains are represented visually in a circle, as health care is a non-linear process. Person-centred care is placed in the centre of the circle, as it is foundational and necessary for all pharmacy practice.
Professionalism and leadership are always expected of regulated members who serve as licensees, and by proprietors and their representatives. This domain encircles all others as success in performing all other domains depends on it.
Comments about the draft standards are welcomed prior to 4:30 p.m. MT on Friday, February 23, 2024. Council will consider feedback during mid-2024.
