Whereas numerous small isolated communities presently receive their prescriptions and over-the-counter medical supplies from tele-pharmacies whose staff work under the supervision of a pharmacist located at a distance and available by phone; And whereas many of those communities are in danger of losing their pharmacy services at the end of 2016 because of a shortage of qualified pharmacy technicians in British Columbia: Therefore be it resolved that the provincial government work with the College of Pharmacists to design a system which facilitates education and training easily accessible from rural areas, thus allowing tele-pharmacies to continue to operate and provide services in small communities.
Ministry of Health Government is focused on rural and remote heath as a priority area for the BC health system. Government recognizes the need to maintain access to pharmacy services in rural and remote communities to ensure continuity of patient care. Ministry staff are working with the College of Pharmacists of British Columbia the College to bring tele-pharmacies into compliance with provincial laws. This work includes regular check-ins with the College to ensure progress is being made to appropriately address site-specific issues, based on information obtained by the College during visits to each tele-pharmacy site which took place during July, 2016. Criteria for determining risk and compliance requirements for each site includes whether or not there is direct supervision for dispensing drugs and drug counselling, possession of controlled drugs and substances at the tele-pharmacy site, protection of controlled drugs and substances from theftloss, technology and patient confidentiality, prescription documentation in accordance with bylaws, and records of inspections and audits completed at each site. Work to date has also included discussions with the federal government to determine how the Province can work towards bringing tele-pharmacy sites into compliance with federal law, while ensuring rural and remote access to medications is maintained.