OCP letter to CPSO calls out ‘derogatory’ social media posts and doctors refusing to do MedsCheck paperwork

The Ontario College of Pharmacists (OCP) is raising concerns to the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) about physicians refusing to process paperwork for MedsCheck and making social media statements that “denigrate pharmacists’ expanded scope of practice.”In a June 28 letter addressed to CPSO board chair Dr. Ian Preyra, OCP board chair James Morrison said his college was aware of “specific examples” of physicians refusing documentation of MedsChecks or minor ailments, threatening to charge the pharmacy or the patient for reviewing such documentation, or terminating services for patients.“These particular examples have taken place against the backdrop of public statements made by physicians on social media that denigrate pharmacists’ expanded scope of practice,” Morrison wrote in the letter.MedsCheck is an Ontario government program that allows pharmacists to offer a 20-to-30-minute one-on-one consultation with patients to review their medication. However, the program has attracted criticism from physicians who say it adds unnecessary paperwork to their workflow, given that MedsCheck records have to be signed off by the patient’s family doctor, even if no further action is required. In addition, pharmacies can bill the government $75 for a MedsCheck consultation—notably out of sync with what a doctor could charge for a similar service in Ontario.Read: Dr. Jabir Jassam | Dear Ministry of Health: Please stop funding MedsCheck Morrison said his college “appreciate[s] that physicians are busy practitioners,” but stressed that pharmacists sending documentation to doctors is a requirement under the MedsCheck program.“MedsCheck reviews are a valuable healthcare service and government program, a requirement of which is that the pharmacist share their reviews with prescribers,” he said.Doctors have also pushed back on the expanding scope for pharmacists. Since January 2023, Ontario has also allowed pharmacists to prescribe for and treat 13 common ailments and last month, the province said it’s considering adding 14 additional ailments to this list. Read: Ontario explores expanding responsibilities for pharmacists, but faces pushback from doctors“Given this context, the OCP would not expect physicians to respond to pharmacists’ expanded scope with vindictive comments and actions aimed at specific pharmacists and patients, or with derogatory public statements that can undermine the perceived value of such services,” Morrison wrote in the letter.Morrison concluded the letter inviting the CPSO leaders for a meeting to discuss these issues “in the spirit of inter-college collaboration.”In an email statement, the CPSO said it is “aware of stakeholder concerns relating to these issues” but has not received any formal complaints or reports about physician activity described in the letter.“Any such report or complaint would be reviewed through our usual internal investigations process,” the physicians’ college said in an email statement to the Canadian Healthcare Network.“CPSO is committed to collaborating with partners to address concerns that may impact patient care and to ensure comprehensive and effective solutions when needed.”Meanwhile, the OCP said in an email it hopes to start “a collaborative dialogue” with the CPSO but declined to comment further until a meeting has been established.“We hope to meet with CPSO leadership soon and will share the outcome in a future Board package,” the pharmacists’ college told the Canadian Healthcare Network.

OCP letter to CPSO calls out ‘derogatory’ social media posts and doctors refusing to do MedsCheck paperwork

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