Your Tips are Making a Difference
As we move further into 2025, I've been reflecting on the work we've been doing at CPBC to address the serious issue of business pressures in pharmacies and the impact they can have on public health and safety. This continues to be a top priority for us and an issue that I care deeply about.
While we understand that businesses need to earn a profit, it cannot come at the cost of public health and safety. Unfortunately, we continue to hear that it is.
Last fall, we released the results of our Pharmacy Workplace Practices Survey which showed that business metrics being imposed in many of BC’s community pharmacies may be putting clients at risk.
A few months ago, we launched an anonymous tip line. I want to thank all of the pharmacy professionals and staff who have taken the time to send us your tips. While we have heard from professionals working in all types of pharmacies, the majority have come from corporate pharmacies. We have also had pharmacists reach out directly and I am extremely grateful for those candid and brave insights.
While the tips cover many public health and safety challenges, after reading through them there is a clear and common theme – pharmacies are critically understaffed to meet the ever-increasing demand for pharmaceutical services and there is a deep fear among professionals of making mistakes that could harm clients. Cut hours, reduced staff, unrealistic targets. Please know that we carefully read every tip that we receive and that they go a long way in guiding our work on this critical issue.
It won’t happen overnight, but we are actively exploring legal and policy options and learning from other pharmacy regulatory colleges across Canada who are approaching this issue in innovative and impactful ways.
Still, the most valuable information we have are the tips we receive from you, the pharmacy professionals we regulate. We need to continue to hear from you.
Bylaws to address business pressures from impacting public safety
One thing I want to bring to your attention, in case you are not aware, is that two bylaws exist – one under the Pharmacy Operations and Drug Scheduling Act (PODSA) and the other under the Health Professions Act (HPA) – that are in place to prevent business pressures from threatening public health and safety.
The PODSA Bylaws clearly outline the responsibilities of pharmacy managers, owners, directors, officers and shareholders. It states that managers are required to ensure staffing levels are sufficient to manage workloads and always meet patient care needs, and that meeting quotas, targets or similar metrics cannot be allowed to jeopardize patient safety. You can reference the full bylaw at the following link: PODSA Bylaw 18(2)(j) Responsibilities of Manager, Direct Owners, Directors, Officers and Shareholders.
Similarly, under the Code of Ethics, registrants are required to report to CPBC any policies, systems, or working conditions that could pose a risk of harm to the public. You can reference the full bylaw at the following link: HPA Bylaws - Code of Ethics Standard 7(k).
I strongly encourage all pharmacy professionals to familiarize themselves with these important standards. They provide a clear framework to ensure pharmacies always put public health and safety first.
If you experience any situations that run counter to these bylaws, please reach out using our anonymous tip line to report your concerns.
We will keep you updated as we make progress. Please know, I am here to listen and learn from you. If you wish to speak to me directly about your concerns related to business pressures and public safety, please contact me at [email protected].