There continues to be a lot of activity regarding the regulation of pharmacy technicians. Here is a summary of the recent accomplishments and upcoming opportunities to complete the registration requirements.



PEBC Evaluating Exam

Now offered twice annually, the next available exam is fall 2010. This exam is the first step for individuals currently working in pharmacy (except for new CCAPP graduates) and must be completed by January 1, 2012, to move forward. Go to www.pebc.ca for details.

Bridging Program

• All four Bridging courses have been implemented for classroom delivery in a growing number of communities. Registration for spring Bridging courses has begun – check the OCP website for details.
• Online delivery of the Bridging courses has started. Professional Practice has 250 students enrolled for the winter semester. Pharmacology and Drug Distribution will be added this spring. The next session of on-line delivery for all three of these courses began on May 14, 2010. Registration has begun.
• The Prior Learning and Assessment challenge exams for Pharmacology and Drug Distribution have been introduced. Registration details are available at each community college.

• A second pilot of the PEBC Qualifying Examination for Pharmacy Technicians will be held in March with approximately 160 eligible pharmacy technicians. The first regular sitting of this exam will be offered August 28th and 29th for all eligible candidates.
  Go to www.pebc.ca for details.

• The SPE (which is an evaluation of the technician’s ability to accurately complete an “independent double check” of 500 prescriptions/orders) is being piloted with candidates from the first and second PEBC pilot qualifying examination. Full implementation for all eligible technicians is anticipated by summer 2010.
• The SPT program (12 weeks of supervised practice) is also being piloted with the CCAPP graduates involved in the first and second PEBC pilot qualifying examination. Three pharmacy technician preceptor training workshops have been held, with 40 pharmacists now qualified to fulfill this role. Additional workshops will be offered as the need increases. The activities and evaluations are all available and completed through an on-line portal. Full implementation for all eligible technicians is anticipated in fall 2010.

• A second pilot of the Jurisprudence Exam will be offered to individuals who were accepted to complete the second PEBC Pilot Qualifying Exam. If the pilot results are positive then it is anticipated that this exam will become available to all eligible candidates for the July sitting with pre-registration in May. This exam will then continue to be available four times a year.