TORONTO, Dec. 3 /CNW/ - Pharmacy technicians officially became recognized as a new class of registrant with the Ontario College of Pharmacists (OCP) when its new Registration Regulation (Ontario Regulation 451/10) made under the Pharmacy Act was proclaimed today. The College expects the regulation to be published on E-laws on December 7, 2010 and to be able to register Pharmacy Technicians after that date.

"The passing of this regulation, which authorizes our College to register qualified Pharmacy Technicians as a new and separate class of registrant, signifies a major milestone for Ontario and the entire pharmacy profession," said Bonnie Hauser, OCP President.  "The regulation of pharmacy technicians will enable pharmacists to take on an enhanced role in the provision of comprehensive patient care services to the public."

The College began the process of regulating pharmacy technicians in 1998, after Council agreed that creating this class of member with the appropriate training could enable registered technicians to take responsibility for certain dispensing activities within the pharmacy, and allow pharmacists to expand their services and scope of practice to improve patient care.

"As Registrar, I am very proud of the leadership demonstrated by both the College and the Ontario government in making Ontario the first jurisdiction in Canada to formally regulate Pharmacy Technicians as a new health profession. The regulation of Pharmacy Technicians comes after many years of hard work and careful consideration about how Pharmacy Technicians could support the provision of  optimal pharmacy services," said Deanna Williams, OCP Registrar. "The pharmacists, technicians and other stakeholders who participated in our task forces and working groups over the years helped to identify how a technician's role could evolve into a regulated position, with the same rights, responsibilities to the public, and accountabilities as other regulated health professionals."

OCP also collaborated with stakeholder organizations to develop appropriate bridging education, accreditation of educational programs for technicians and a national licensing examination.

OCP expects to begin registering Pharmacy Technicians next week.  In accordance with the new regulation, only those individuals registered as Pharmacy Technicians with the Ontario College of Pharmacists will be permitted to use the title of "Pharmacy Technician" in Ontario.

Established in 1871, the Ontario College of Pharmacists (OCP) is the licensing and regulating body for the profession of Pharmacy in Ontario with the mandate to regulate the profession in the public interest.

For further information:
Anjali Baichwal, Communications Advisor, Ontario College of Pharmacists 416 847-8294 abaichwal@ocpinfo.com