The Ontario College of Pharmacists
 | Mission Statement |
| The mission of the Ontario College of Pharmacists is to regulate the practice of pharmacy, through the participation of the public and the profession, in accordance with standards of practice which ensure that our members provide the public with quality pharmaceutical service and care. | |
| Who we are |
The Ontario College of Pharmacists (OCP) is the registering and regulating body for pharmacy practice in Ontario. All persons within Ontario who wish to dispense prescriptions and sell products defined as drugs to the public must first have met the professional qualifications set by the College, and be registered as a pharmacist. Likewise, all pharmacies must meet certain standards for operations and be accredited by the College. In addition to setting initial standards, the College ensures ongoing adherence to the professional and operational standards.
OCP, originally incorporated in 1871, is set up under the Pharmacy Act, one of many health profession specific acts established under the Regulated Health Professions Act (RHPA) of Ontario. The RHPA is the umbrella legislation of the provincial government which bestows to the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, the duty to ensure that health professions are regulated and co-ordinated in the public interest.
The objects of the College, as set out in the Health Professions Procedural Code (section 2 of the RHPA), are:
- To regulate the practice of pharmacy and to govern the members in accordance with the Pharmacy Act, the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 and its code, and the regulations and by-laws.
- To develop, establish and maintain standards of qualification for persons to be issued certificates of registration.
- To develop, establish and maintain programs and standards of practice to assure the quality of the practice of profession.
- To develop, establish and maintain standards of knowledge and skill and programs to promote continuing evaluation, competence and improvement among the members.
- To develop, establish and maintain standards of professional ethics for the members.
- To develop, establish and maintain programs to assist individuals to exercise their rights under the Code and the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991.
- To administer the health profession Act, this Code and the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 as it relates to the profession and to perform the other duties and exercise the other powers that are imposed or conferred on the College.
- To promote and enhance relations between the College and its members, other health profession colleges, key stakeholders, and the public.
- To promote inter-professional collaboration with other health profession colleges.
- To develop, establish, and maintain standards and programs to promote the ability of members to respond to changes in practice environments, advances in technology and other emerging issues.
- Any other objects relating to human health care that the Council considers desirable.
- To regulate drugs and pharmacies under the Drug and Pharmacies Regulation Act.
- To develop, establish and maintain standards of qualification for persons to be issued certificates of accreditation.
| Governance of the Pharmacy Profession |
As mentioned above, the legal powers and duties of the College are set out in the Regulated Health Professions Act, the Health Professions Procedural Code, the Pharmacy Act and the Drug and Pharmacies Regulation Act. The activities of the College are subject to a number of oversight mechanisms including both general and specific oversight by the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care and specific oversight by the Health Professions Appeal and Review Board and the Heath Professions Regulatory Advisory Council. The Minister can advise or make certain requests of Council regarding the regulatory responsibilities of the College.
The College is overseen by a Council of up to 17 elected pharmacists, up to 16 government appointed members of the public and the Deans of the province’s two Pharmacy faculties in Ontario. Council's primary role is to ensure that the interests of patients are protected and maintained. Council elects a President and Vice President from among its members. Council must meet at least twice a year, although in practice it meets four times a year in September, December, March, and June.
The Council of the College is the policy-making group and functions as a board of directors to provide leadership and guidance for the profession in providing pharmaceutical services to the public. Beyond the statutory requirements, Council brings pharmacists' views to a central coordinating body. Here, members discuss policies and make recommendations to governments regarding legislation.
To oversee the work of the College, Council appoints a Registrar, who is the Chief Executive Officer and subject to Council's direction. Under the Registrar, the College’s administrative staff has the responsibility of carrying out Council policies.
Every pharmacist registered with the College who is a resident of Ontario and has paid the annual fee qualifies to vote in an election of members to Council. Council holds elections for one-third of the electoral districts yearly, on the first Wednesday in August. The term of office is three years with a maximum of nine consecutive years.
Council has certain powers under the statute including the power to pass bylaws affecting internal matters. These matters include the conduct of meetings, expenses, elections and appointment of committees. Also significant is Council's power to make regulations subject to the approval of the Lieutenant-Governor-in-Council (Provincial Cabinet). To view the College’s bylaws, click here
The Health Professions Procedural Code and the Pharmacy Act require Council to establish and appoint seven statutory committees and allow Council to establish other committees as members deem appropriate. The seven required statutory committees are the Executive, Complaints, Discipline, Fitness to Practice, Patient Relations, Quality Assurance, and Registration Committees. The Pharmacy Act also requires the College to establish an Accreditation Committee, with the unique mandate of considering matters relating to the operation of pharmacies in Ontario, including operational requirements, ownership, supervision and the distribution of drugs in the pharmacy. In addition, under a bylaw, Council has established the Professional Practice, Finance, Compensation and Communications Committees.
Public Education
As part of the College’s strategic commitment to public education, outreach and awareness, OCP has engaged in advertising and public relations campaigns. The last campaign, which ran from 2003-early 2010 was intended to increase the public’s understanding of the value that the profession brings to their health.
| Click here to see the examples of some of the print ads that have run in Consumer Magazines over the past two years. |
Click here to see the television ads that ran in 2003, 2006 and 2008. |
Supporting Members
In addition to key program areas such as Practice Advisory, Quality Assurance and Continuing Professional Development, the College undertakes several initiatives to keep its members informed and engaged in maintaining the standards of pharmacy practice for their patients.
Pharmacy Connection
Pharmacy Connection is the College's quarterly journal. It is distributed to more than 12,000 contacts which include pharmacists and other related individuals and organizations across Canada. The objectives of Pharmacy Connection are to communicate information on College activities and policies; encourage dialogue and to discuss issues of interest with pharmacists; and to promote the pharmacist’s role among our members, allied health professionals and the public.
Field Services
College Field Representatives visit pharmacies throughout the Province to assist members in understanding the various laws and other rules affecting the practice of pharmacy. While these visits are carried out a part of our responsibility to ensure compliance with legislation, the emphasis of the visit is educational.
Pharmacists are encouraged to ask the Field Representative for assistance and advice on how to best comply with the legislation. In addition, visits are sometimes necessary to investigate complaints from the public or other situations regarding pharmacy practice.
District Meetings
District meetings with the Members may be held annually. The Registrar will notify members of the date and location of the meeting within their district and will provide the purpose or topics of discussion at that time.
These meetings typically focus on updating members about recent OCP initiatives as well as provide members with an opportunity to participate in discussions, as the College is interested in gaining member perspective on current initiatives and emerging issues related to pharmacy.
Practice Advisory Breakfast Series Meetings
Breakfast meetings are conducted annually to provide pharmacists with opportunities to meet and interact with College field representatives, to discuss various pharmacy practice issues outside regular inspections. Based on feedback from both members and staff; the meetings are informative and helpful, and will continue in the future.
For more information about the College's mandate to protect public safety, please click on "For the Public" on the menu at left.