The following are highlights from the Alberta College of Pharmacy Council meeting held June 9-10, 2026, in Calgary.
Standards amendments approved for consultation
Council approved amendments to the Standards of Practice for Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians and the Standards for the Operation of Licensed Pharmacies for the purposes of consultation.
ACP is proposing amendments to the standards to address the following:
- Bill 13—the Regulated Professions Neutrality Act. One of the requirements of this legislation is that regulators remain neutral and prohibit preferential treatment based on specific personal characteristics, including race, sex, religion, political beliefs, or gender identity. The standards need to be amended to comply with this legislation.
- Bill 29—the Health Statutes Amendment Act, 2026. Under this legislation, the Pharmacy and Drug Act (PDA) would allow pharmacists to recognize written orders and sell a small supply of opioid agonist therapy (OAT) medications directly to an authorized prescriber (e.g., physician or nurse practitioner). The standards need to be amended to allow for this activity.
- Controlled Substances Regulations. The new Controlled Substances Regulations (CSR) were published on December 17, 2025, and will replace the current regulations for controlled substances (the Narcotic Control Regulations and the Benzodiazepines and Other Targeted Substances Regulations) on October 1, 2026.These changes will consolidate all federal rules for controlled substances into a single framework and require updates to the standards.
- Clarity and consistency. Some minor administrative changes are being proposed to make the standards easier to read and understand.
Regulated members can visit the Consultations webpage to participate in the consultation.
2026-28 Strategic Plan update
Work has begun on the first two initiatives in ACP’s 2026-28 Strategic Plan. The first initiative is to establish a clear understanding of public expectations, baseline awareness, and unmet needs related to pharmacy care. This project will expand on the public survey and focus group conducted in 2025 and serve as the foundation for a public engagement strategy for ACP.
The second initiative aims to understand what barriers regulated members face while undertaking their professional roles. This project will expand on the regulated member survey conducted in 2025 and serve as the foundation for future engagement with regulated members.
Both initiatives will support the achievement of ACP’s strategic goal to elevate pharmacy’s role within Alberta’s healthcare system.
Special election
Council approved a slate of candidates for a special election that will take place this summer for two vacant Council positions: Pharmacist Councillor 5 and Pharmacy Technician Councillor 6.
Council officers
President-elect Murtaza Hassanali assumed the role of President commencing July 1, 2026, and pharmacist Councillor Asad Kashani of Edmonton was elected by his Council peers as president-elect. His one-year term as president-elect began on July 1, 2026.
Pharmacist Councillor Patrick Zachar of Airdrie presided over his last Council meeting as President. Patrick’s second three-year term on Council ended on June 30, 2026. He will remain as a non-voting, ex-officio member for the 2026-27 Council year.
Celebration of Leadership and Leadership Forum
Council finished the 2025-26 calendar with two significant events.
The Celebration of Leadership included an inspiring keynote speech on leadership from Dr. Scott McLeod, former Registrar of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta, the installation of President Hassanali, and presentation of the Leadership Development Award to pharmacy technician Yan Chiu.
ACP’s 11th annual Leadership Forum introduced a select group of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians to thought processes and skills that will help them continue to lead in a world of constant change. During this two-and-a-half-day event, participants were guided through group and individual learning activities designed to foster emotional intelligence and strengthen human-centred leadership skills valuable to our professions, the college, and our communities.
