What a Year!
As 2024 winds down, I've been reflecting on the incredible journey we've been on this past year. It's been a time of expansive growth and learning for us at CPBC. From working with our Board on strategic priorities, to preparing to transition to the Health Professions and Occupations Act (HPOA), we’ve been involved in a broad range of work.
We accomplished a lot this year. We explored the link between business pressures in pharmacies and the threats this may pose to public health. We also further expanded pharmacists’ scope of practice; moved closer to implementing medication incident reporting; released our ‘What You Can Expect from Your Pharmacy Visit’ poster; and established a new Business Transformation Department to ensure we're equipped to lead in an increasingly complex regulatory world.
We remained dedicated to improving care for First Nations and Indigenous clients in BC. Through visits to First Nations communities, working with Indigenous partners, and engaging in many learning opportunities, we worked to create safer spaces and processes and to incorporate their shared experiences in everything we do.
All of this, while never losing sight of what’s important–making sure British Columbians get the effective and compassionate pharmacy care they deserve.
Here are some highlights from the year:
Business Pressures and Public Health & Safety
I want to thank everyone who responded to our survey earlier this year and courageously shared concerns about the business pressures you are facing in your pharmacies. As you saw in our report, we heard you and we are taking action. CPBC is considering every policy and legislative tool available to us, including reviewing existing bylaws and policies, to address these very serious concerns.
We want to continue hearing from you through our new CPBC Business Pressures Tipline which allows you to share your concerns in confidence via phone line, email, or online form. It’s a continuation of the survey, which will allow us to gather current data on the ways these pressures are impacting your ability to provide safe and effective pharmacy care. Every tip contributes to our understanding of the issue and strengthens our ability to act.
Learning, Understanding, Acting
Recently, many of us at CPBC had the privilege of hearing the Honourable Jody Wilson-Raybould speak about three core practices of true reconciliation: Learn, Understand, and Act. Her talk inspired us, and we are taking steps to integrate these practices.
It starts with listening and learning. In the past year we've been fortunate to work closely with Indigenous partners, Knowledge Keepers, and Elders on several initiatives. The impact of their words, teachings, and guidance, as well as their investment in our journey, continues to shape how we prioritize inclusion and equity in our work.
Reconciliation also requires us to understand how our worldviews have been shaped and how they affect Indigenous Peoples’ experiences in healthcare environments. In partnership with Len Pierre and his team, we hosted an experiential learning day for our staff to help us reflect, unlearn certain biases, and deepen our understanding of the generational trauma caused by residential schools and colonial policies.
We also participated in a traditional Coast Salish blanketing ceremony at the Kwantlen Nation Longhouse to formally launch our work to decolonize our complaints and investigations processes. Weaving these protocols into our work and reshaping how we operate has been a true privilege.
Finally, we need to act. True reconciliation is a journey, and we are committed to taking action. This year, as part of our ongoing efforts to eradicate Indigenous-specific racism in pharmacy care, we made meaningful progress in decolonizing our complaints and investigations processes. While there is much more to do, this work is in a good place thanks to our Indigenous partners and CPBC staff.
Empowering Clients
Throughout our reconciliation journey, Bayja Morgan-Banke's art has been essential in grounding our work in First Nations culture and bringing vibrancy to our initiatives. Many of you will recognize her work on the "What You Can Expect from Your Pharmacy Visit" poster, which we released in September. It's been wonderful to see the pharmacies we regulate adorned with such beautiful artwork.
As a reminder, this poster is now required in all BC pharmacies. It's an important way for us to ensure clients are aware of what they should expect, based on pharmacy standards, when visiting a pharmacy.
Enhancing Care for British Columbians
This year, to support the BC Government's priority to expand pharmacists' scope to increase access to primary care, we introduced new standards to enable pharmacists to order, receive, and interpret certain laboratory tests for the purposes of medication management. We also updated Professional Practice Policy 58 to broaden pharmacists’ authority to perform adaptations for a wider range of medications, including narcotics, controlled drugs, and targeted substances, enhancing continuity of care and contributing to work being done across our health system to address BC’s toxic drug crisis.
Modernizing Healthcare Regulation
In collaboration with our BC Health Regulator partners, we've also been busy preparing to transition to the Health Professions and Occupations Act (HPOA). The HPOA, which will come into effect on a date to be announced by the Ministry of Health, introduces a more transparent complaints process, and establishes a new oversight body and independent discipline tribunal. Regulatory college boards will be appointed, not elected, and have equal representation from regulated health professionals and public members.
Through its guiding principles, the HPOA also supports and promotes awareness of reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples, aligning perfectly with our ongoing journey towards reconciliation. This transition will require ongoing dedication and focus from all of us in the coming years, and we look forward to implementing these important changes.
Inspiring the Future
I so appreciate the opportunities I've had to connect with the next generation of pharmacists at UBC during events like the White Coat Ceremony and the Dean’s Reception, and by speaking to them in their classrooms. I love going back to my alma mater, getting a taste of the new curriculum– which, let me tell you, has changed a lot since I was there! –and watching these amazing students make their way through it. Their energy and enthusiasm are contagious! Our profession is evolving, and these future pharmacists will lead the change that is required to make a significant impact on our healthcare system.
I extend my sincere gratitude to the Board for their ongoing support and openness to innovative approaches. Their dedication has been truly remarkable, with countless hours devoted to paving the way for our many achievements. I also want to express sincere gratitude to our outgoing Board members, Anca Cvaci, Steven Hopp, Anne Peterson, Michael Ortynsky, and Katie Skelton – our first Indigenous Board member – for their years of steadfast commitment to public safety. Their contributions have been invaluable, and we wish them all the best.
Finally, a heartfelt thank you to the staff at the College for their hard work, passion and shared commitment to doing the right thing, so we can make a difference in the lives of British Columbians. This is why we do this work. At the end of the day, it’s all about the people.
To further show our progress and the exciting path ahead, we've created a quick video. It's a snapshot of who we are today and a glimpse into the future we are working to build.
Thank you for your dedication, compassion, and commitment to the people of British Columbia. I look forward to the year ahead.
Suzanne Solven
Registrar & CEO
College of Pharmacists of British Columbia