bc's covid-19 response
PDAP Exemptions for CE Submissions During COVID-19
BC's COVID-19 ResponseThe situation regarding COVID-19 continues to evolve here in BC, Canada and other jurisdictions in the world. The College of Pharmacists of BC is working closely with the Ministry of Health and other partners to support the response to this new illness as part of BC’s health system. The College will provide any updated information or guidance for pharmacy professionals as it becomes available. Please follow updates provided on bcpharmacists.org/COVID19 Pharmacy professionals exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms should follow the COVID-19 testing process developed for all British Columbia health care workers. |
As we continue to manage the evolving COVID-19 pandemic in BC, pharmacists and pharmacy technicians are vital in meeting increasingly complex patient needs. Pharmacy professionals play an important role in helping patients avoid non-essential visits, including providing deliveries, ensuring appropriate supplies of medication and encouraging social distancing.
In response to the increasing demands on BC’s pharmacies and pharmacy professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic, the College Board has granted PDAP exemptions for the remainder of 2020 registrant renewals; as well as to pharmacists and pharmacy technicians who wish to be reinstated after being non-practicing and/or former status for less than 90 days.
These exemptions are now in effect.
Exemption for the Remainder of 2020 Registration Renewals
The College ensures pharmacy professionals meet the continuing education (CE) requirements through the Professional Development and Assessment Program (PDAP), which requires that each pharmacy professional must complete a minimum of 15 hours of continuing education each year, including a minimum of 5 hours of accredited learning.
However, the sudden onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in BC and around the world has resulted in the cancellation of a number of in-person CE courses and programs.
Additionally, our response to COVID-19 has resulted in a number of recent pharmacy practice changes, placing added responsibility on BC’s pharmacies and straining their already stretched resources.
In order to alleviate these pressures, the College Board has granted PDAP Exemptions for the remainder of 2020 registration renewal deadlines (March 2020 to December 2020).
Moving forward, pharmacy professionals who receive this exemption will complete their PDAP requirements prior to their 2021 registration renewal deadline.
Exemption for the Purposes of Reinstatement
Pharmacy professionals remain essential to the health care system and are required for more assistance during this pandemic.
In order to provide this much-needed assistance to pharmacies during this public health crisis, the College Board has granted PDAP exemptions for the purposes of reinstatement, to expedite the registration process for registrants who wish to re-instate and who have been in the non-practicing or former category for less than 90 days.
Pharmacy professionals in these categories are no longer required to complete their yearly CE requirements prior to applying for full registration.
Moving forward, pharmacy professionals who receive this exemption will complete their PDAP requirements prior to their 2021 registration renewal deadline.
QUESTIONS?
For questions related to PDAP, contact the College’s Professional Development department at [email protected].