Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians are trained and skilled health professionals who have to follow strict rules.
In both cases, their school must meet the requirements of the Canadian Council for Accreditation of Pharmacy Programs (CCAPP). Then, future pharmacy professionals have to pass the Alberta College of Pharmacy’s (ACP) Ethics and Jurisprudence Exam, finish ACP’s Structured Practical Training Program, and pass the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada’s (PEBC) qualifying exams. Together, these requirements help to make sure your pharmacy team has the knowledge and skills they need.
For more information, see the detailed requirements for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians.
Once they start working in Alberta, pharmacists and pharmacy technicians have to complete yearly Continuing Competence Program (CCP) requirements to make sure that that they always improve their pharmacy knowledge and skills, and stay up to date with new pharmacy information.
Pharmacy teams have to follow the law as well as ACP’s rules. The standards of practice tell pharmacists and pharmacy technicians what they can and cannot do, and the Code of Ethics tells them how to act. These rules help to make sure patients get safe and high-quality care.
ACP has a team of inspectors including pharmacy practice consultants (who are pharmacists) and sterile compounding assessors (who are pharmacy technicians). This group checks up on pharmacies to make sure they are following the rules and to help them give their patients the best care they can.
Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians provide safe, high-quality care and Albertans should always expect this when they go to the pharmacy, but sometimes pharmacy teams don’t meet the expectations of their patients, other health professionals, members of the public, or even ACP. In some cases, people will bring their concerns to ACP using the complaints process. ACP makes sure to deal with concerns about pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, or pharmacies in a way that is fair, clear, and careful. ACP also tries to address concerns as soon as possible. Before bringing concerns to ACP, it’s important to first bring them to the pharmacy’s licensee (sometimes called the “pharmacy manager”).
For more information about what to expect from your pharmacy team, watch our video, contact the college, or talk to your pharmacy team.
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