Registrar's Message: Read This!

Registrar’s Message: Read this!

As a working pharmacist or pharmacy technician, it can be hard to keep up with the demands of modern life. I’m referring of course to the constant stream of e-mails, texts, social media updates, and phone calls. At times, it can be a challenge to figure out when the work day ends and our personal lives begin.

In my last message, I talked about the obligations of pharmacy professionals and how we must always act in the best interests of our patients and the public at large.

Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians are professionals, and as professionals, are always held by society to a higher standard than the general public. Being a professional is more than having a job.

The practice of pharmacy is in a constant state of flux. From changes in healthcare legislation, to new practices, knowledge and research, pharmacy practice is always advancing at a rapid pace. And as professionals, we have to keep up!

When we are often inundated with information, some may wonder what the requirements are around keeping up with College e-mails and ReadLinks articles.

Do we have to open these emails? Do we have to read every single ReadLinks article?

The answer is: yes and yes (please!)

Part of our obligations as self-regulated professionals involves staying apprised of changes and updates to both current legislation and practice. The College works to ensure registrants are informed of important developments in regulation and pharmacy practice, as they happen, through various communications methods. And part of your responsibilities as pharmacy professionals is to ensure that you are using up-to-date knowledge and meeting legislative requirements when caring for your patients.

ReadLinks

The College’s ReadLinks Blog is a vital resource to stay on top of practice and regulation changes, and discover new resources or professional development opportunities. New content is published weekly and on the last day of each month, the College distributes a ‘ReadLinks Roundup’ email with links to each article published during that month.

Under Professional Practice Policy 3: Pharmacy References, community pharmacies are required to retain or have ready-access to the most recent three years of ReadLinks articles found on our website.

College E-Mail

In addition to ReadLinks and the ReadLinks Roundup, the College also provides regular correspondence through College issued emails. It is important that you read these! I know that we all get a lot of email, but please take the time to take a look at any emails that we send to you.

As a registered health care professional, you are required to receive emails from the College of Pharmacists of BC as per section 54 of the Health Professions Act bylaws.

Make sure you don’t miss an email from us by checking that your address is correct in eServices and our emails are not being filtered out by junk or spam filters.

With all of the College’s regular communications now available on digital platforms, staying connected has never been easier. Here’s some simple strategies you can use to make sure you never miss another update:

Check bcpharmacists.org frequently for new updates and articles – make it part of your weekly routine.
Follow our social media channels to stay connected with the College and easily keep up with the latest updates and articles
Watch for our ReadLinks Roundup Email on the last day of every month

Thanks for staying connected!

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