Access to CareConnect is not a mandatory requirement for providing PPMAC services.
Standard 9 of the College’s Making a Diagnosis and Prescribing Standards, Limits and Conditions states:
“Prior to prescribing a drug, a pharmacist must obtain relevant drug therapy information, which may include a review of:
- the patient or resident record1;
- the patient PharmaNet record; or
- information provided by the patient or patient’s representative.”
Standard 10 of the College’s Making a Diagnosis and Prescribing Standards, Limits and Conditions states:
“A pharmacist must review or conduct a patient assessment to support their diagnosis and/or prescribing decisions. The assessment must include the following as feasible and applicable, but is not limited to these factors:
- demographic information;
- medical conditions;
- medication history;
- signs and symptoms;
- allergies and intolerances;
- risk factors;
- pregnancy and lactation status;
- physical assessment;
- laboratory or other diagnostic tests, if available;
- patient needs, values, and preferences; and
- any other information deemed necessary.”
The pharmacist is responsible for ensuring they have obtained the relevant drug therapy information and that they conduct a patient assessment to support their diagnosis and/or prescribing decisions. The pharmacist must use their professional judgement to determine how and where they access relevant information that is sufficient for informing and supporting their prescribing decision. This includes considering whether the patient’s CareConnect records need to be included in the review.