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Guest Post: Modernized Reference Drug Program Training Modules
The Reference Drug Program (RDP) was introduced by PharmaCare in 1995 to promote cost-effective prescribing for common medical conditions, with minimal impact on patient care. The original program included 5 therapeutic drug categories including: Nitrates; Histamine 2 Receptor Blockers (H2 Blockers); Non-Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs); Dihiydropyridine Calcium Channel Blockers (CCBs) and Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors (ACEIs). Within each category, PharmaCare identified one or more “reference” drugs that were fully covered and only provided partial coverage for the “non-reference” drugs in each category.
RDP Modernization (MRDP) was implemented by PharmaCare in Dec, 2016. Three new drug categories were added: Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARBs); Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) and HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors (Statins); three of the original categories were amended (H2 Blockers, CCBs and ACEIs); and two of the original categories (Nitrates and NSAIDs) remained unchanged.
Health care providers need to be familiar with drug coverage changes to the MRDP to ensure that their patients can continue drug therapy for their medical condition(s) while minimizing both clinical and financial impact. The MRDP Training Modules were developed to support British Columbia Pharmacy professionals and Prescribers (physicians, dentists, nurse practitioners, naturopathic physicians, podiatrists, midwives and optometrists), providing the evidence and tools necessary for safe, effective and economical prescribing, switching and/or adapting drugs within the MRDP categories.
The following nine MRDP modules can be viewed in any order at The Modernized Reference Drug Program Website.
| Module | MRDP Category | BC CEUs |
| 1 | Overview of the MRDP | NA |
| 2 | Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors (ACEIs) | 0.5 |
| 3 | Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARBs) | 0.5 |
| 4 | Calcium Channel Blockers (CCBs) | 0.5 |
| 5 | HMG CoA Reductase Inhibitors (Statins) | 0.5 |
| 6 | Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) | 0.5 |
| 7 | Histamine 2 Blockers (H2 Blockers) | 0.5 |
| 8 | Nitrates | 0.25 |
| 9 | Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) | 0.5 |
For more information about the MRDP, please visit UBC's Continuing Pharmacy Professional Development website or contact Ying Gu at [email protected] or (604) 827-3108
Sheryl Peterson BSc (Agr), BSc (Pharm), RPh
Sheryl has diverse practice experience in community pharmacy, regulatory affairs and academia. She is currently the Associate Director of Continuing Pharmacy Professional Development (CPPD) and a lecturer in Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences (FoPS) at the University of British Columbia (UBC). In this role, she develops, delivers, accredits, manages and evaluates continuing professional development for pharmacy professionals and provides educational support to the undergraduate curriculum. She has developed an interest and expertise in the use of a variety of learning formats and engaging technologies to accommodate different learning styles and/or learners with barriers associated with time or geography. Through education and experience Sheryl has established many collaborative partnerships and has developed innovative learning opportunities to enhance the knowledge, skills, abilities and attitudes of learners and support the advancement of pharmacy practice and specialized pharmaceutical care. She had been a presenter at regional, national and international conferences.
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