As of July 1, 2018, the Alberta College of Pharmacists will officially be known as the Alberta College of Pharmacy.
The name change was initially approved by ACP Council in June, and was included in the Government of Alberta’s Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act (Bill 34) which was passed in the Legislature on December 15. The Bill included an amendment to schedule 19 of the Health Professions Act to reflect the college’s new name.
“It’s an important decision,” said ACP Registrar Greg Eberhart. “It was a discussion that occurred amongst registrants for over a year and a half, emphasizing the importance of a name that reflects the very broad responsibilities of ACP. The new name is inclusive of pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and ACP’s responsibilities to govern licensed pharmacies. It’s an exciting time and we look forward to completing the work that needs to be done in advance of the new name coming into effect.”
In the spring of 2017, the majority of registrants responding to an ACP survey supported changing the name. After considering the feedback of registrants, Council chose Alberta College of Pharmacy as the new name for the college, pending government approval.
The name allows ACP to maintain its established logo and initials. While the college’s brand won’t change much, other than replacing ‘pharmacists’ with ‘pharmacy,’ the new name presents an opportunity for ACP and its members.
“As we use our brand in discussions, not only amongst our registrants, but with other professions and other stakeholders, our new name will help clarify and emphasize the very broad responsibilities of the college, and how pharmacists and pharmacy technicians work together to provide appropriate drug therapy for Albertans,” Greg said. “It’s also an opportunity to build awareness about the environments that pharmacy professionals work in, and ensure that those environments provide the conditions and technologies to allow them to be effective and successful.”
We’ll have more on our new name as we get closer to the effective date of July 1, 2018.
