The Alberta College of Pharmacy (ACP) has compiled a document detailing best practices and obligations when a transfer of patient care is requested. Patients have the right to choose which pharmacy they receive their pharmacy services from, and may ask to move their care, information, and prescriptions at any time.
“When a transfer is requested, it should be facilitated by both the transferring and receiving parties,” said ACP compliance officer Monty Stanowich. “Under the Code of Ethics and the Standards of Practice, pharmacy professionals have an obligation to patients that cannot be influenced by personal or commercial benefit.”
The regulated member transferring care must complete the process in a timely manner that ensures patient care is not disrupted. Requests to transfer care can be made to a pharmacy verbally by the regulated member on behalf of the patient, verbally by the patient, or in writing as a transfer request signed by the patient. Regulated members should not contact the patient to pressure or incent them to continue care at their pharmacy.
The receiving regulated member must provide specific information about what has been requested for the transfer, be respectful of the workload at the transferring pharmacy, and not request information that is not relevant to or necessary for the care that is being transferred
“It is not the role of ACP to mediate the transfer of patient care,” said Monty. “This is an opportunity for professionals to collaborate.”
For more information, refer to the complete guidance document approved by Council.
