The Province of British Columbia passed new legislation to modernize the provincial framework for health profession regulation. The Health Professions and Occupations Act (HPOA) received Royal Assent in 2022 and, once fully in force, will bring significant changes to the regulation of health professions in B.C., including pharmacy.
The government has identified that HPOA will lay the groundwork for transforming how health regulators fulfill their mandate to protect the public. Once in effect, it will improve access to safer health care for British Columbians by:
- Implementing anti-discrimination measures to foster physically, culturally, socially and emotionally safe practices.
- Supporting and promoting awareness of reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples.
- Creating a more transparent complaints process, including the publishing of all disciplinary actions on college websites.
- Creating safety and identity protection measures and support for complainants who have experienced discrimination, sexual abuse or sexual misconduct.
- Establishing the new oversight body: the Office of the Superintendent of Health Profession and Occupation Oversight.
- Appointing a new independent discipline tribunal.
The Superintendent's Office will oversee health regulatory colleges, ensuring transparency, accountability, and operation in the public interest. Over the summer, the Government of BC appointed Sherri Young to lead the Office of the Superintendent. The independent discipline tribunal, led by the newly appointed Director of Discipline Benson Cowan, will ensure a separation between the investigation and hearing of complaints.
Transition Planning Underway
Since Fall 2023, the College of Pharmacists of BC has collaborated closely with the Ministry of Health, other health regulators, and key partners to plan for this transition. A project steering committee comprising registrars from all the colleges was established to develop a governance framework and provide oversight to the HPOA transition. Regulatory working groups with subject matter expertise from all colleges have been formed to develop model bylaws compliant with HPOA. There will be broad consultation with the public, registrants, and other key partners once the bylaws have been drafted.
The College of Pharmacists of BC is committed to providing updates and encourages questions to be directed to [email protected].