Updated law grants Saskatchewan pharmacists new powers
CBC News | Posted: October 22, 2015 11:45 PM | Last Updated: October 22, 2015
Pharmacists who are certified can administer the flu vaccine
An updated law in Saskatchewan is granting new powers to pharmacists, including the ability to become certified to administer the flu vaccine.
The Saskatchewan College of Pharmacy Professionals, which was renamed in the amendments to the Pharmacy Act from the Saskatchewan College of Pharmacists, said a new law is now in effect.
"These changes allow pharmacists to expand their scope of practise," President Bill Gerla said in a release Thursday.
"The people of Saskatchewan are the ultimate beneficiaries. Because of accessibility and convenience, pharmacists will play a greater role in ensuring quality health care in Saskatchewan."
In its release, the SCPP said the act authorizes: the college to "regulate pharmacy technicians as licensed members practicing in an independent defined scope of practice with title protection; pharmacists to administer drugs by injection and other routes; and pharmacists to order, access and use medical laboratory tests."
However, the SCPP said "before members may engage in the practices authorized under the Act, especially administration of the publicly funded flu vaccine, pharmacists must successfully complete the required training and receive the Advanced Method Certification certificate from SCPP."
It added that there are currently 245 Saskatchewan pharmacies with at least one certified staff pharmacist who can administer the flu vaccine.
If people want to find out if their pharmacists is certified they look it up on the SCPP website.