Breaking down NAPRA's updates to scope of practice charts for pharmacists and technicians across Canada

The National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities (NAPRA) has released updated charts summarizing the scope of practice for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians according to each Canadian province or territory (as of December 2021).1, 2 Pharmacists’ scope of practice The pharmacists’ scope of practice chart specifies provinces/territories where pharmacists can initiate a new prescription; initiate a new prescription under delegation/collective prescription; initiate a new prescription for specified conditions/circumstances; prescribe an interim supply; or prescribe in emergency circumstances. Read: COVID-19 pandemic: A wake up call for diabetes care? Where there is an existing prescription, the chart summarizes whether pharmacists can adapt the prescription by changing the dose, formulation, regimen, duration or route of administration; perform therapeutic substitution; or renew/continue a prescription for continuing care. The chart also reviews whether pharmacists can administer drugs by parenteral and nonparenteral routes; order lab tests; and interpret lab tests.1 Pharmacy technicians’ scope of practice The pharmacy technician summary chart pinpoints whether technicians can develop a master formula or compounding protocol; compound drugs according to a master formula or compounding protocol; or determine a beyond use date for compounded products. The chart also provides a synopsis of the technician’s scope related to dispensing and receiving prescriptions, including whether they are allowed to receive a verbal order (except for controlled substances); perform a technical check of a new prescription; perform a technical check of a refill prescription; perform a technical check of a controlled substance prescription; or transfer prescriptions. Read: 'Time for change': Toronto launching service to respond to mental health crisis calls The chart also delineates whether pharmacy technicians are allowed to do the following: provide instructions on how to operate medical devices; provide medication information to patients that does not require application of therapeutic knowledge; conduct tests; supervise a remote dispensing location under the supervision of a pharmacist who is not physically present; or administer drugs by parenteral and nonparenteral routes.2 References 1. National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities. Pharmacists’ scope of practice in Canadian jurisdictions. December 2021. https://napra.ca/sites/default/files/2022-03/NAPRA%20RPh%20Scope%20of%20Practice%20in%20Canada_chart_2021-12_EN.pdf (accessed March 24, 2022). 2. National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities. Pharmacy technicians’ scope of practice in Canadian jurisdictions. December 2021. https://napra.ca/sites/default/files/2022-03/NAPRA%20PT%20Scope%20of%20Practice%20in%20Canada_chart_2021-12_EN.pdf (accessed March 24, 2022).

Breaking down NAPRA's updates to scope of practice charts for pharmacists and technicians across Canada

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