Issue #75 – April 2021

 

Issue #76 – May 2021

 

SaferMedsNL: Improving Medication Use Across Newfoundland and Labrador

SaferMedsNL is a deprescribing project developed by the Department of Health and Community Services, Memorial University, and the Canadian Deprescribing Network that launched in January 2019. The goal of this initiative is to decrease the use of potentially inappropriate medications and improve the quality of life of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.

The initiative’s three-year plan has been adapted to allow sufficient time to bring public awareness to the benefits and harms of sedative-hypnotics. As such, the year two focus of sedative-hypnotics will now extend for the remainder of 2021.

Through SaferMedsNL, both healthcare providers and patients can access evidence-based tools and resources to facilitate approaches to deprescribing, improve both patient and healthcare provider competency for reducing inappropriate medications, and provide the opportunity for deprescribing via meaningful discussions between healthcare providers and patients.

Visit their website for a list of resources.

 

 

Issue #77 – June 2021

 

Issue #78 – July 2021

Requirements for Hiring Relief Pharmacists

Pharmacists in Charge looking to hire relief pharmacists are reminded that prospective pharmacist applicants, including those registered in other provinces, must fulfill all requirements of registration in NL, including providing proof of professional liability insurance, a current certificate of conduct, PANL membership, successful completion of NLPB’s Registration Examination, verification of hours from current employer, and a letter of standing from their provincial regulatory authority. Please view the appropriate registration interpretation guide on NLPB’s website for more information.

Please note that the registration process, following the opening of a file, requires a minimum of 4-6 weeks to complete. “Locum” registration is not available in Newfoundland and Labrador under the provincial legislation.

 

Extension of Health Canada Subsection 56 (1) Class Exemption for Patients, Pharmacists Prescribing and Providing Controlled Substances in Newfoundland and Labrador

In March 2020, Health Canada issued an exemption for certain provisions of the Controlled Drugs Act (CDSA) and its regulations, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. The current exemption is set to expire on September 30, 2021.

Health Canada has recently authorized a five-year extension of this subsection 56 (1) class exemption from the CDSA, which will be effective October 1, 2021 to September 30, 2026, or until such time as it is replaced by another exemption or revoked.

This exemption provides practitioners with the authority to issue a verbal prescription for controlled substances.

This exemption provides pharmacists with the authority to transfer a prescription for a controlled substance, and to prescribe, sell, or provide a controlled substance to patients subject to the terms and conditions of the exemption.

Pharmacists acting under the authority of this exemption must:

1. Only prescribe, sell, provide, or transfer the controlled substance to a patient while that patient is under their professional treatment;
2. Only prescribe, sell, provide, or transfer a controlled substance to a patient in order to extend or renew an existing prescription;
3. Only prescribe a controlled substance to a patient in accordance with any policies and/or guidelines established by the provincial or territorial government and by any relevant provincial or territorial licensing authorities;
4. Comply with a record keeping obligations established by the provincial or territorial government and any relevant provincial or territorial licensing authority regarding all transactions involving controlled substances;
5. If not already required pursuant to item 4, keep records of the following:
   • the name and address of any patient who is prescribed, sold, or provided a controlled substance under this exemption;
   • the name, quantity, and form of the controlled substance prescribed;
   • the name or initials of the pharmacist who prescribed, sold, or provided the controlled substance;
   • the date on which the controlled substance was prescribed, sold, or provided; and
   • the number assigned to the prescription.
6. With respect to the transfer of a prescription, keep records of the following:
   • a copy of the prescription written by the practitioner or the record made in accordance with the practitioner’s verbal prescription;
   • the name and business address of the transferring pharmacist;
   • the name and business address of the pharmacist receiving the prescription transfer;
   • the number of authorized refills remaining and, if applicable, the specified interval between refills; and
   • the date of the last refill.
7. All records should be kept in the pharmacy for a period of two years from the date that each record is made.

Maintaining Authorization to Administer Injections

Pharmacists are reminded that once a pharmacist is authorized to administer drug therapy by inhalation or injection, the pharmacist must:

• administer inhalations and injections only in accordance with provincial guidelines, standards by NLPB, and within the limits of the pharmacists’ own competence;
• maintain competence and skill level in administering inhalations and injections;
• maintain appropriate CPR and First Aid certification; and
• complete a professional declaration annually at renewal, indicating that they have taken action to comply with the requirements of this section. If this declaration cannot be made, remedial training, such as a refresher program, may be required.

In the past, NLPB has advised pharmacists seeking information about the annual professional declaration to register for and complete a formal refresher training program through an accredited provider. Unfortunately, as pharmacists have begun to administer injections more regularly, the need for these programs has waned, resulting in less availability of such programs. As such, we now advise pharmacists to:

• ensure clinical competency by participating in self-study – review the online learning modules, the latest Immunization Guides, and product monographs for the medications/vaccinations that you intend to administer.
• ensure technical competency by re-completing the live portion of the accredited program, shadowing another pharmacist or health professional, and/or asking that pharmacist or health professional to observe your technique and offer feedback.

If you let your authorization to administer injections lapse, reapply by completing and submitting the Application for Authorization.

It is ultimately up to the pharmacist to ensure that they are clinically and technically competent and, if not, refrain from offering the service until such time as they are able to address the deficiency.

 

 

 

Issue #79 – September 2021

 

Extension of Health Canada Subsection 56 (1) Class Exemption for Patients, Pharmacists Prescribing and Providing Controlled Substances in Newfoundland and Labrador

The current exemption issued by Health Canada for certain provisions of the Controlled Drugs Act (CDSA) and its regulations is set to expire on September 30, 2021. Effective October 1, 2021, a  five-year extension of this subsection 56 (1) class exemption from the CDSA, will go into effect. To learn more about this exemption and what NL pharmacists can and cannot do under this exemption, please review the NLPB FAQ on the Health Canada Subsection 56(1) Class Exemption and the Health Canada FAQ on the Subsection 56(1) Class Exemption.

NLPB would like to remind pharmacists that the Health Canada Subsection 56 (1) Class Exemption currently in place does not permit interprovincial transfers of prescriptions for controlled substances.

Proper Documentation of Prescription Transfers

Pharmacists are advised, when any prescription is transferred, the original, written date of the prescription must be reflected in the dispensing record rather than the date that the transfer is completed.

Correct documentation ensures the integrity of the Patient Medication Profile, as per the NLPB Standards of Pharmacy Operation – Community Pharmacy Section 3.5 (a), as well as the patient’s electronic health record, which is used in a variety of settings for clinical decision-making.

The correct documentation process once the transfer has been processed through the Pharmacy Network by the sending pharmacy, is that the receiving pharmacy must create a local prescription from the Pharmacy Network record which then records its subsequent dispenses against that original Pharmacy Network prescription.

Following this process ensures the original written date is maintained and minimizes the likelihood of transcription errors. It also keeps the patient’s Pharmacy Network profile cleaner as no new prescription is created.

If you have questions about how to process a prescription transfer through the Pharmacy Network, please feel free to reach out to the Pharmacy Team at the Newfoundland and Labrador Centre for Health Information.

 

Approved Changes to the Provincial Drug Schedules

The following additions and revisions to the Provincial Drug Schedules have been approved effective August 24, 2021 to reflect the NDSAC recommendations that were finalized on July 28, 2021:

• the Schedule I entry for herpes zoster vaccine has been revised as follows:
  • Herpes zoster (shingles) vaccine (live)
• the following has been added to Schedule II:
  • Herpes zoster (shingles) vaccine (non-live recombinant)
• the Schedule III entry for bisacodyl has been revised as follows:
  • Bisacodyl and its salts (except when sold in strengths of 5mg or less per oral dosage unit in package sizes containing no more than 105mg of bisacodyl, or 10mg or less per rectal dosage unit/suppository in package sizes containing no more than 50mg of bisacodyl)
• the Unscheduled entry for bisacodyl has been revised as follows:
  • Bisacodyl and its salts (when sold in strengths of 5mg or less per oral dosage unit, in package sizes containing no more than 105mg, or 10mg or less per rectal dosage unit/suppository, in package sizes containing no more than 50mg of bisacodyl)

Please see the Provincial Drug Schedules page for more information.

 

Pharmacist-in-Charge: Leaving your Pharmacy

All licensed pharmacies in Newfoundland and Labrador must have a designated pharmacist-in-charge (PIC) to maintain the license and continue to operate. Therefore, it is a requirement that, as license-holders, all PICs who are leaving their pharmacy – whether through resignation, retirement, or termination – ensure a new PIC is in place prior to leaving.

Before applying for a change in PIC, the current PIC must identify whether the incoming PIC has received authorization from NLPB to be a PIC.

Is the incoming PIC authorized by NLPB?
↓		↓
Yes		No
↓		↓
Complete and submit the Application to Change Pharmacist-in-Charge to NLPB 30 days before the scheduled change.		The incoming PIC must complete and submit the Application for Authorization to be designated Pharmacist-in-Charge to NLPB upon completing all requirements.
		↓
		Complete and submit the Application to Change Pharmacist-in-Charge to NLPB 30 days before the scheduled change.

 

Documenting CEUs for Service as a Preceptor

Registrants who served as a preceptor may claim 0.5 credits per week up to a maximum of 6 credits per year as per the Standards of Practice – Professional Development for Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians. These credits are classified as non-accredited learning and must be documented in the registrant’s Online Learning Profile.

The Documentation of Credits for Service as a Preceptor form can be retained as supporting documentation in case of an audit. A separate entry and form must be used if acting as a preceptor to more than one student, intern, or technician candidate in a given year.

 

New Opioid Use and Opioid Use Disorder Resources – CASN, AFPC, and CASWE-ACFTS

The Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing (CASN), the Association of Faculties of Pharmacy of Canada (AFPC), and the Canadian Association for Social Work Education – Association Canadienne pour la formation en travail social (CASWE-ACFTS), are offering a new e-resource and free webinar series on the topic of opioid use and opioid use disorder.

The English e-resource can be found at OUOUD (casn.ca). In the e-resource, you will find the Education Guidelines, eight modules with content related to each learning outcome and indicator in the Guidelines, and Protocols related to naloxone and stigma. The French e-resource will be available later this month.

The webinars will provide a brief overview of the project, a short presentation from a member of the content development team, as well as several guest speakers. The topics below were selected to highlight some of the key themes in the e-resource and provide attendees a unique opportunity to learn from experts in these areas!

 

Webinar 1: Introduction to opioid use in Canada, the impact of COVID-19, and how stigma and implicit bias affect care.

Wednesday, September 15, 2021, 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM EST

Register now! Free Webinar! Opioid use and opioid use disorder: A look at current trends in Canada, the impact of COVID-19 and stigma, and implicit bias. – Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing / Association canadienne des écoles de sciences infirmières (CASN / ACESI).

 

Webinar 2: Opioid use and equity-oriented approaches; harm reduction, trauma, and violence informed practice and cultural safety.

Monday, September 20^th from 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM EST.

Registration available soon at: www.casn.ca

 

Webinar 3: Chronic pain and opioid use

Friday, September 24^th, 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM EST

Registration available soon at: www.casn.ca

 

**Please note that these webinars will be held in English and details about a French webinar will be available soon!

 

Issue #80 – October 2021

NLPB’s annual renewal period will begin on October 25, 2021, at which time all registrants will be notified by email that the Member Portal is open for renewals. The deadline to renew both registrations and pharmacy licences is November 30, 2021. All continuing education units (CEUs) must be entered and all fees paid by that date. Annual renewals must be completed through the NLPB Member Portal. If you have forgotten your username or password, click “Forgot your password? Click Here to restore it” and enter your email to retrieve it.

BEFORE YOU CAN RENEW

Once the annual renewal period begins, registrants must do the following before the Renew Now link will appear on their member homepage:

• Enter 15 CEUs in the Member Portal for the Dec. 1, 2020-Nov. 30, 2021 Professional Development (PD) Log Year.
• Pay all outstanding invoices.

 

RECORDING CEUs

All registrants are required to complete 15 CEUs between December 1, 2020 and November 30, 2021 to be eligible to renew their annual registration. A minimum of 7.5 CEUs must be accredited and the remaining may be either accredited or self-assigned.

How to Enter CEUs Log in to the Member Portal using your username and password. Under the My Professional Development section, click Record a New Learning Activity. On the first Learning Portfolio Record page, select the current Professional Development Log (PD) Year, “Dec 1, 2020 – Nov 30, 2021”, from the drop-down box. Indicate if the PD is accredited by selecting the appropriate response to Is this activity accredited? Click Next. Input the requested information regarding the learning activity and click Next. Review the information you have entered, and if all information is correct, click Save. Repeat this process until all learning activities have been recorded.

 

 

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

• Pharmacists who are authorized to administer injections must upload proof of current CPR/First Aid certifications.
• All registrants must ensure they have an electronic copy of their professional liability insurance certificate available to upload.

 

Proof of Insurance Your professional liability insurance certificate must include the following information: Insurance provider’s name Policy number Amount and type of coverage Expiry Date You can obtain a copy of your certificate from your insurance provider. Please note, a receipt of payment to your insurer is not sufficient.

 

RENEWING REGISTRATION ONLINE

Please note: Once the renewal is started, it cannot be saved and resumed at a later time. The system will automatically log you out after two hours. If your category of registration has changed (i.e. changing from relief pharmacist to staff pharmacist), please contact Registration and Licensing to have it updated in your profile.

 

1. Click the Renew Now link on your member homepage to begin the online renewal process.
2. Carefully review the information on your file, ensuring it is complete and accurate and making changes as necessary. All items marked with an asterisk (*) are required fields.
3. Continue navigating through the renewal form, clicking Next at the bottom of the page to advance forward.
4. Read and click to check that you agree to the declarations. Please note, by typing your name into the renewal, you are agreeing these declarations are true. Making false declarations or providing false or incomplete information on the renewal may be cause for revocation of registration and/or an allegation of conduct deserving of sanction.
5. Click Save to complete the application.
6. Choose Pay Now to pay by credit card (Visa or MasterCard) or Invoice Me to pay by cheque or money order, or if your employer will be submitting payment. A copy of your invoice must be included with payments made by cheque or money order.

 

 

Registration Renewal Fees Please refer to the 2022 Schedule of Fees for a list of applicable fees.Additional fees may apply: Any payment received after November 30 will be subject to an automatically applied 50% late fee. A processing fee will be charged for a declined credit card or an NSF cheque.

 

 

RENEWING PHARMACY LICENCE ONLINE

Please note: Pharmacists-in-charge (PICs) must renew their own pharmacist registration before they are able to renew the pharmacy licence. PICs have two usernames, one for their personal profile and one for the pharmacy profile. If you are having trouble logging in; try clicking “I’m not <NAME>” to enter a new username.

 

1. Once logged in to the pharmacy profile, click Renew Your Pharmacy Licence to begin the online renewal process.
2. Answer all questions in the renewal form carefully.
3. Click Next to advance to the next screen.
4. Review your pharmacy’s information, ensuring it is complete and accurate, making changes as necessary.
   • Fill in any missing information.
   • Ensure the names of dispensary staff, pharmacy hours, and ownership information are up-to-date (ensure you include non-registered staff members, including pharmacy assistants and clerks, but not temporary staff such as students or interns).
   • Continue navigating through the renewal form, clicking Next at the bottom of the page to advance forward.
5. Read and click to check that you agree to the declarations. Please note, by typing your name into the renewal, you are agreeing these declarations are true. Making false declarations or providing false or incomplete information on the renewal may be cause for revocation of registration and/or an allegation of conduct deserving of sanction.
6. Click Save to complete the application.
7. Choose Pay Now to pay by credit card (Visa or MasterCard) or Invoice Me to pay by cheque or cash, or if your employer will be submitting payment. A copy of your invoice must be included with payments made by cheque or money order.

Please note: Pharmacy licence renewal is not complete until payment has been received by NLPB. 

The pharmacy licence will be emailed to the PIC before the end of December. It must be displayed in a conspicuous place in the pharmacy, in full public view.

The PIC is responsible for ensuring the licence has been renewed for 2022 and all regulated staff are registered to practice in 2022 before the end of the year.

 

DO I NEED TO RENEW? A QUICK GUIDE TO GOING ON LEAVE OR RETIRING If you are not planning to practice pharmacy in 2022, you can choose to let your registration lapse and are not required to maintain professional liability insurance or PANL membership (if applicable). Please notify the board in writing indicating that you will not be registering for 2022, including the reason. If you are going on leave for part of 2022, please contact NLPB to reactivate your profile and renew your registration, 2-3 weeks prior to your return. The annual fee is prorated 50% for registration on or after July 1.

Pharmacy Students and Interns Administering Inhalations and Injections

Due to recent inquiries, NLPB would like to provide clarification regarding the administration of injections. As per NLPB policy, Pharmacy students and interns may administer drug therapy by inhalation or injection only if the following conditions are met:

• The student or intern must be under the direct supervision of a pharmacist who has received authorization from the NLPB to administer drug therapy by inhalation or injection.
• The student or intern must be registered with the NLPB (including maintaining appropriate professional liability insurance).
• The student or intern must have successfully completed an education and training program on the administration of injections that has received CCCEP competency-based (stage 2) accreditation OR all education and training on the administration of injections are part of the pharmacy program core curriculum.
• The student or intern must have current certification in CPR Level C or HCP and Emergency or Standard First Aid from a recognized provider (e.g. St. John Ambulance, the Canadian Red Cross).

Pharmacy students and interns cannot receive authorization to administer inhalants or injections and as such are not required to submit the Application for Authorization to Administer Drug Therapy by Inhalation or Injection. Students and interns are not required to submit proof to NLPB that all conditions above have been met. The supervising pharmacist is responsible and accountable for all components of the preparation and administration of the inhalants and injections, as well as ensuring the student or intern has met all NLPB requirements to administer inhalants and injections. When providing direct supervision, the pharmacist must be present when the activity is being performed and able to observe and promptly intervene to stop or change the actions of the individual being supervised.

Additional Resources:

Administration of Drug Therapy by Inhalation or Injection Regulations

NLPB Standards of Practice – Administration of Drug Therapy by Inhalation or Injection

NLPB Policy – Pharmacy Students/Interns Administering Inhalations or Injections

Securing Your Pharmacy

NLPB is reminding registrants to ensure all reasonable steps are taken to protect against the loss or theft of controlled substances under their control. Under the Standards of Pharmacy Operation-Community Pharmacy, both the pharmacy as a whole and the dispensary area must be equipped with a security system that provides suitable protection against theft, diversion, and tampering with drugs and other healthcare products. A combination of alarms, cameras, and motion detectors must be utilized to meet this requirement.

When having security systems installed, registrants should ensure that key areas of the pharmacy and dispensary are protected, such as installing motion detectors near the on-site narcotics storage.

Security systems should be maintained and checked regularly to ensure all components are working properly.

 

Project ECHO NL: Opioid Use Disorder – Upcoming Sessions

Project ECHO NL: Opioid Use Disorder, is a virtual community advancing care and treatment for opioid use disorder in Newfoundland and Labrador. The goal is to help primary care providers and their teams build capacity in the treatment and management of opioid use disorder.

This project offers free, virtual learning sessions using an interactive, web-based platform to link healthcare providers with an interdisciplinary team of mentors with expertise in managing substance use care.

ECHO sessions are designed around case-based learning and mentorship and support healthcare providers in gaining the knowledge and skills required to provide needed services in their regions.

The primary audience for Project ECHO NL: Opioid Use Disorder is prescribers (family physicians and nurse practitioners) and pharmacists. The secondary audience is other healthcare professionals providing care for individuals with opioid use disorder, including registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, social workers, and addictions counsellors.

Upcoming Sessions

Cycle 1 will include 11 sessions held every three weeks between October 2021 and May 2022.

Session 1: Optimizing Patient Retention in Opioid Dependence Treatment
October 12, 2021 – 8:30–9:30AM (NDT)
More details…

Registration is free but required. Registration is completed on a per-session basis.
To register for Session 1, please contact Chelsea Hynes at chelsea.hynes@easternhealth.ca

ECHO sessions are one hour, held every three weeks on a rotating schedule of Tuesdays from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. NDT.

Session 2	November 2, 2021	12:00 p.m.– 1:00 p.m. NDT
Session 3	November 23, 2021	8:30 a.m.– 9:30 a.m. NDT
Session 4	December 14, 2021	12:00 p.m.– 1:00 p.m. NDT
Session 5	January 11, 2022	8:30 a.m.– 9:30 a.m. NDT
Session 6	February 1, 2022	12:00 p.m.– 1:00 p.m. NDT
Session 7	February 22, 2022	8:30 a.m.– 9:30 a.m. NDT
Session 8	March 15, 2022	12:00 p.m.– 1:00 p.m. NDT
Session 9	April 5, 2022	8:30 a.m.– 9:30 a.m. NDT
Session 10	April 26, 2022	12:00 p.m.– 1:00 p.m. NDT
Session 11	May 17, 2022	8:30 am – 9:30 am NDT

 

More information about Project ECHO NL: Opioid Use Disorder, including frequently asked questions, can be found online here.

 

2021 Annual Provincial Opioid Dependence Treatment Conference

The Provincial Opioid Dependence Treatment Centre of Excellence is excited to launch general registration for the Third Annual Provincial Opioid Dependence Treatment Conference on Oct. 28–29, 2021.

Registration is FREE. Register at https://signalhillcampus.com/ODTConference

Pre-Conference Session (Virtual Only) | Thursday, October 28, 6:30–8:30PM (NDT)

Target Audience: Health care providers with intermediate to advanced ODT practices

• Stimulant Use Disorder in the Context of Opioid Use Disorder (Dr. Monty Ghosh, University of Alberta Hospital, Edmonton)
• Concurrent Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Opioid Use Disorder (Dr. Tea Rosic, Clinician Investigator Program, McMaster University)

 

Main Conference (Hybrid) | Friday, October 29, 8:30AM–4:30PM (NDT)

Target Audience: Anyone with work and/or lived experience relating to opioid use. Clinical content will be emphasized where appropriate.

• Caring for Youth and Families Affected by Opioid Use (Dr. Sarah Bagley, Boston University School of Medicine and Boston Medical Centre)
• Concurrent Anxiety Disorder and Opioid Use Disorder (Dr. Kristopher Luscombe, Regional Chief (Psychiatry), Central Health)
• Opioid Use Trends and Treatment Innovations: A Canadian Perspective (Dr. Paxton Bach, University of British Columbia and St. Paul’s Hospital)
• Women and Opioids: Applying a Sex, Gender, and Equity Lens (Dr. Nancy Poole, Centre of Excellence for Women’s Health, Vancouver)
• Voice of Lived Experience
• Panel Discussion: ODT during COVID-19: Lessons Learned and Future Directions
• Prescribing Hope: Opioid Agonist Therapy Initiative in the Emergency Department (Dr. Hasan Sheikh, University Health Network, Toronto)
• Quick-fire Updates (Spoke Implementation, Sublocade: 1 Year Later, and Remote Patient Monitoring: Utility in Opioid Dependence Treatment)

 

Please note: In keeping with public health guidelines, there are limited in-person spots for the main conference on Oct. 29. However, there are unlimited virtual spots.

• If we have reached capacity for in-person participation, and you would like to be added to a waitlist for an in-person spot, please email Chelsea.Hynes@easternhealth.ca.
• As there are limited in-person spots, we kindly request your cooperation if your plans change. To cancel your registration at any time, please email conferencesevents@mun.ca
• The main conference will be hosted at the Emera Innovation Exchange (100 Signal Hill Road), following all public health guidance in effect on Oct. 29.

 

Issue #81 – November 2021

As a follow-up to the email sent to registrants last week regarding the COVID-19 Vaccine Regulations filed October 22, 2021, under the Public Health Protection and Promotion Act, NLPB is providing additional clarification of the regulations as they pertain to pharmacies and registrants.  The regulations require that any individual who is employed by or provides services to a business that contains a pharmacy must be fully vaccinated by December 17, 2021. Businesses that contain a pharmacy include but are not limited to mass-market retailers, grocery stores, traditional pharmacies, and self-employed registrants. These regulations apply not only to registrants, as indicated in the previous email communication, but also to all staff of the business containing the pharmacy, such as pharmacy staff, front-store staff, inventory management staff, janitorial staff, and in fact, anyone who enters the premises to provide service to the business, such as cleaning or IT services.

NLPB is providing this information as a courtesy to registrants but is not involved in the development or administration of the legislation. As such, questions pertaining to the application of the regulations should be directed to the provincial government’s Business Response Team at: businessresponseteam@gov.nl.ca.

In addition, as of November 15, 2021, any person visiting the NLPB offices will be required to provide proof of vaccination or proof of an approved medical exemption upon entering the office.

Effective Monday, November 15, 2021, any person visiting the NLPB offices will be required to provide proof of vaccination or proof of an approved medical exemption upon entering the office.

 

Ivermectin – Not Authorized to Prevent or Treat COVID-19

Health Canada has advised that Canadians should not use either the veterinary or human drug versions of ivermectin to prevent or treat COVID-19, as there is no evidence that it is safe or effective when used for those purposes.

The Newfoundland and Labrador Pharmacy Board is advising registrants not to dispense any prescriptions for ivermectin prescribed to prevent or treat COVID-19 and to report the prescribing practitioner to the appropriate regulatory body.

NLPB would like to commend those registrants who have demonstrated appropriate professional judgment in these instances to ensure patients receive evidence-based care.

Preventing Medication errors – COVID-19 and Influenza Vaccines

With two important vaccine campaigns happening simultaneously this fall, immunizers should take special care to anticipate and prevent medication errors. Registrants participating in both vaccine campaigns are reminded to confirm which vaccine the patient is to receive and to perform a final check on the vial before administering the medication.

 

Project ECHO NL: Opioid Use Disorder – Upcoming Sessions

Project ECHO NL: Opioid Use Disorder, is a virtual community advancing care and treatment for opioid use disorder in Newfoundland and Labrador. The goal is to help primary care providers and their teams build capacity in the treatment and management of opioid use disorder.

This project offers free, virtual learning sessions using an interactive, web-based platform to link healthcare providers with an interdisciplinary team of mentors with expertise in managing substance use care.

ECHO sessions are designed around case-based learning and mentorship and support healthcare providers in gaining the knowledge and skills required to provide needed services in their regions.

The primary audience for Project ECHO NL: Opioid Use Disorder is prescribers (family physicians and nurse practitioners) and pharmacists. The secondary audience is other healthcare professionals providing care for individuals with opioid use disorder, including registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, social workers, and addictions counsellors.

Upcoming Sessions

Cycle 1 will include 11 sessions held every three weeks between October 2021 and May 2022.

Session 3: TBA
November 23, 2021 – 8:30–9:30AM (NDT)

Registration is free but required. Registration is completed on a per-session basis.
To register, please contact Chelsea Hynes at chelsea.hynes@easternhealth.ca

ECHO sessions are one hour, held every three weeks on a rotating schedule of Tuesdays from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. NDT.

Session 3	November 23, 2021	8:30 a.m.– 9:30 a.m. NDT
Session 4	December 14, 2021	12:00 p.m.– 1:00 p.m. NDT
Session 5	January 11, 2022	8:30 a.m.– 9:30 a.m. NDT
Session 6	February 1, 2022	12:00 p.m.– 1:00 p.m. NDT
Session 7	February 22, 2022	8:30 a.m.– 9:30 a.m. NDT
Session 8	March 15, 2022	12:00 p.m.– 1:00 p.m. NDT
Session 9	April 5, 2022	8:30 a.m.– 9:30 a.m. NDT
Session 10	April 26, 2022	12:00 p.m.– 1:00 p.m. NDT
Session 11	May 17, 2022	8:30 am – 9:30 am NDT

 

More information about Project ECHO NL: Opioid Use Disorder, including frequently asked questions, can be found online here.

 

Annual Registration and Licensing Renewal – FAQs

NLPB’s annual renewal period began last week, at which time all registrants were notified by email that the Member Portal is open for renewals. The deadline to renew both registrations and pharmacy licences is November 30, 2021. Below are common inquiries that we receive from registrants regarding the annual renewal period, which you may find helpful.

 

Q: How do I recover a forgotten password?

A: Click the “Forgot your password? Click here to restore it” link on the Registrant Login page: https://nlpb.in1touch.org/login.html. Type in the email address associated with your NLPB account on the Recover Password page and click the “Retrieve” button. You will receive an email with your secure login information.

 

Q: Why is the “Renew Now” button not appearing on my profile

A: In order for the “Renew Now” button to appear on your profile, your account must be active, you must have entered a minimum of 15 CEUs (7.5 of which must be accredited sources), and you must have paid any outstanding invoices. Please check that none of these issues are preventing you from renewing prior to contacting NLPB. If you have done so and the “Renew Now” button still does not appear on your profile, then please contact the Registration department at NLPB’s main office.

 

Q: Can I claim my PEBC Exam as my required 15 CEUs for the 2022 renewal?

A: In accordance with the Professional Development Requirements for Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians, if you received notice of successful completion of the PEBC examination in 2021, you may claim one of the following:

• 10 CEUs for successful completion of Part I only.
• 5 CEUs for successful completion of Part II only.
• 15 CEUS for successful completion of both Part I and Part II ( please note that notification of successful completion of Part I and Part II must have both been received in 2021 to claim the full 15 CEUs).

 

Q: I am a Pharmacist-in-charge; how do I renew the pharmacy licence?

A: You must first renew your personal pharmacist registration before you are eligible to renew the pharmacy license, as a licence can only be issued to a registered pharmacist for the upcoming year. Once you have renewed your own registration, log in to your pharmacy profile account using the separate username and password that you received from NLPB by email.

 

Q: How do I pay my renewal fee?

A: The last screen in your online renewal is a payment page. You can enter a Visa or MasterCard number to pay by credit card or you can select “Invoice Me” if you will be paying later by cheque or money order. We do not accept e-transfer or debit payments. Registration is not complete until all fees are paid.

 

The Newfoundland & Labrador Pharmacy Museum is currently seeking to fill Board member positions to establish the Board of Directors for the Newfoundland & Labrador Pharmacy Museum Inc. Volunteers interested in the preservation of the history of healthcare, building a sense of community, and enhancing tourism opportunities in the province are encouraged to apply.

The Board of Directors will work in a collaborative environment to provide the Museum Manager with oversite and direction for the daily operations of the Newfoundland & Labrador Pharmacy Museum. The museum is seeking a diverse group of professionals to fill the Board positions, comprised of arts/museum/tourism professionals, retired or active pharmacy professionals, and other professionals with experience in, but not limited to, fundraising, financial management, human resources, administration, event planning, technical expertise, and risk management. Board members will serve a 2- or 3-year term and be expected to meet once every 6-8 weeks for the first year of establishment.

For more details, please visit nlpharmacymuseum.com/board-of-directors. Interested persons can submit an expression of interest in the form of a cover letter or résumé to Deanna Walter, Museum Manager, at info@nlpharmacymuseum.com.

 

This e-newsletter contains information on a wide variety of topics intended to enhance the practice of pharmacy in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. As it is published and circulated to all registrants on a monthly basis, it is the expectation of NLPB that all registrants are aware of the matters contained therein.