CPhA Policy
CPhA actively develops policies and positions outlining the role of the pharmacist as the medication management expert and partner in provision of high-quality drug therapy. These policies and positions are intended to advance the interests of the pharmacy profession to help Canadians live healthier lives and to define the role of the pharmacist within the health care system.
July 2018
Pharmacists as practitioners within the CDSA
Pharmacists are well positioned to take on a larger role in curbing opioid dependency and misuse through increased monitoring and intervention of inappropriate prescribing and dispensing practices. This can be achieved by amending the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) to include pharmacists as “practitioners” authorized to prescribe controlled drugs and substances.
May 2018
Tramadol
Given the national opioid crisis in Canada, CPhA strongly believes that tramadol must be classified appropriately as an opioid in the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA). CPhA supports reclassification of tramadol as a Schedule 1 narcotic under the CDSA as this would also ensure that the prescribing, dispensing and storage of tramadol are subject to strict control requirements in order to prevent its potential abuse and diversion.
April 2016
Medical Marijuana (en français)
Based on expert consultations, third-party research, and input from our members and their patients, CPhA believes that the best way to enhance patient safety, education, and appropriate access is through pharmacist dispensing and management of medical marijuana.
February 2016
Assisted Dying
CPhA’s assisted dying policy intends to provide information on the requirements of the pharmacy profession to government, policymakers, other professional bodies, health care colleagues, patients, and the public in the development of legislation and/or regulations to govern assisted dying in Canada.
June 2015
Pharmacists’ Working Environment (en français)
The individual needs of a patient as determined by a pharmacist’s professional assessment should guide when and how often a service should be offered and delivered.
January 2015
National Pharmacare
CPhA believes all Canadians should be able to access medically necessary medications, regardless of income.
May 2013
e-Prescribing Joint Statement with the Canadian Medical Association (en français)
By 2015, e-prescribing will be the means by which prescriptions are generated for Canadians.
October 2011
Doctor of Pharmacy Degree as an Entry-Level to Practice
CPhA supports Canada’s faculties of pharmacy in the transition of their professional pharmacy degree program from a bachelor of science in pharmacy to a doctor of pharmacy degree.
October 2011
Pharmacist Prescribing
CPhA is committed to obtaining recognition and authority for pharmacists to practise at a level that allows them to play a larger role in ensuring the quality of medication use and optimizing drug therapy to help patients achieve health goals that will improve their quality of life.
February 2011
Breastfeeding and Infant Nutrition
CPhA supports breastfeeding and supports pharmacists in their efforts to encourage women to breastfeed.
November 2009
Toward an Environmentally Responsible Canadian Health Sector (Joint Statement) (en français)
We envision the health sector as a leader in integrating environmentally responsible practices into the delivery of health care.
September 2009
Cross-Border Prescription Drug Trade (en français)
CPhA opposes the cross-border prescription drug trade based upon our concerns of the negative impact of this trade on Canadians.
September 2009
Direct-to-Consumer Advertising
CPhA opposes direct-to-consumer advertising of prescription medications for patient safety reasons.
September 2009
Recommendations for the Implementation of Electronic Prescriptions in Canada (Joint Statement)
This document outlines the general principles for electronic prescribing from a pharmacy perspective.
September 2009
Sale and Dissemination of Prescription Data
CPhA supports the collection and analysis of prescription data to improve drug use and health outcomes of Canadians.
March 2008
Catastrophic Drug Coverage (en français)
CPhA supports the development of a national catastrophic drug plan, integrated with existing drug plans wherever possible, to ensure all Canadians have equitable access to medically necessary drugs and are protected from undue financial hardship.
February 2006
Crystal Methamphetamine and Restricting Sales of Ephedrine and Pseudoephedrine
CPhA supports a coordinated approach, involving all stakeholders, to address the problem of illicit production and abuse of crystal methamphetamine in Canada.
February 2006
Pharmacy Information Networks (Joint Statement)
Pharmacy information networks that are accessible to authorized health service providers at the point of care are an essential component of patient-centric drug information systems and ultimately more comprehensive health information systems.
April 2003
Scopes of Practice (Joint Statement) (en français)
Canada’s physicians, nurses, pharmacists and other health professionals recognize that a sustainable health workforce is a key challenge facing our health care system.
January 2001
Role of Health Professionals in Smoking Cessation (Joint Statement)
Tobacco is the number one risk factor for preventable death and disease in Canada.