Pharmacists want to provide good care to their patients.
Pharmacists are health professionals and their relationships with patients should be based on the quality of advice and service.
Providing inducements in return for professional pharmacy services does not promote professional relationships or good patient care.
Those are the messages we received loud and clear as we conducted research into inducements (see research highlights). We also recognize the expectation inherent in the fact that 75% of registrants believe it is appropriate for the Alberta College of Pharmacists to pursue a prohibition. Therefore, today we are introducing a draft regulatory provision and are inviting your feedback.
All feedback is due at the ACP office by 4:30 p.m. on Mon., Dec. 3.
At its September meeting, ACP council reviewed the input received from registrants, stakeholders, and patients and then considered a range of options for dealing with inducements. Council decided to take a two-pronged approach: circulate a draft regulatory provision to registrants for discussion and work with the government to ascertain their interest in this issue.
The draft regulatory provision is informed by policies, standards and legislation in other jurisdictions. Council examined documents from other pharmacy regulatory bodies, as well as those of other health professions. The draft you see today represents the best and most relevant of those policies. It would be mandatory and would apply to all registrants and pharmacies.
To comment on the draft standard, please email, mail, or fax your comments to:
Leslie Ainslie
Executive Assistant to the Registrar
Alberta College of Pharmacists
1100-8215 112 Street NW
Edmonton, AB T6G 2C8
leslie.ainslie@abpharmacy.ca
Fax – 780-990-0328
Council will consider your feedback when determining its next steps at its meeting on December 6, 2012.
Originally published in the October 16, 2012 issue of The Link
