GNWT releases What We Heard Report for proposed Pharmacy Profession Regulations under the Health and Social Services Professions Act

Press Release

December 3, 2024

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) has released a What We Heard Report on proposed Pharmacy Profession Regulations. This report summarizes feedback from pharmacists, stakeholders, and the public gathered between July 29 and August 30, 2024.

The GNWT proposes moving the regulation of the pharmacy profession under the Health and Social Services Professions Act (HSSPA), an “umbrella” Act designed to provide a consistent framework for regulating health and social services professionals in the Northwest Territories. These changes aim to modernize pharmacy regulations, improve access to medical services, and align with national standards. By allowing pharmacists to practice their full scope, the GNWT seeks to enhance the public’s choice in accessing healthcare.

Key changes being proposed include:

• Regulating pharmacy technicians
• Expanding the scope of pharmacists to include the authority to:
  • Initiate prescriptions
  • Adapt prescriptions
  • Order and interpret laboratory tests and conduct and interpret point of care tests
  • Administer vaccines and medications via injection and inhalation

Public engagement on these regulations marks the first step towards enhancing pharmacy services and expanding access to healthcare. The GNWT will use the feedback from this engagement, along with cross-jurisdictional reviews and additional policy research, to guide the development of Pharmacy Profession Regulations.

For media requests, please contact:
Andrew Wind
Manager, Communications
Health and Social Services
Government of the Northwest Territories
Andrew_Wind@gov.nt.ca
(867) 767-9052 ext. 49034

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