SCPP HISTORY

In September, the newly minted University of Saskatchewan Ray Joubert Memorial Award and the Saskatchewan Polytechnic Ray Joubert Memorial Award launch. These awards will be in perpetuity to forever recognize former SCPP registrar Ray Joubert's dedication, commitment, and passion towards pharmacy in Saskatchewan.

In July, SCPP launches the Pharmacy Manager Policy including CCCEP-accredited and first-of-its-kind training, a culmination of years of work on one priority in the Professional Autonomy Framework.

In January, the Minister of Health approves regulatory bylaws to update gender references in the Code of Ethics, to ensure the most current, respectful, and equitable treatment for SCPP members and other individuals who read the Code of Ethics.

In December, the Minister of Health approves regulatory bylaws for the removal of all current and ending new Member Emeritus designations, Honourary Life memberships, and Honourary memberships, ensuring the SCPP is no longer involved in advocacy work, aligning practices for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, and aligning with regulatory reform occurring within Canada.

Ray Joubert, Registrar of the College from 1985 to 2018, passes away on August 31.

The Disease Control (COVID-19) Amendment Regulations, 2021 enables the establishment of the Saskatchewan COVID-19 Immunization Delivery Plan for the province. The Delivery Plan includes a list of professions such as physicians, registered nurses, and pharmacists, who traditionally provide immunizations as part of their scope of practice. The list also includes other immunizers such as health care students, pharmacy interns, retired health care professionals, and health care professionals that traditionally would not administer immunizations (e.g., dentists and pharmacy technicians).

In January, Saskatchewan's chief medical officer authorizes pharmacists to administer the Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines to Saskatchewan residents.

In November, SCPP Council launches its restructure and online election process, including changing from eight geographical divisions to seven electoral categories: one hospital pharmacist, one hospital pharmacy technician, one community pharmacy technician, two urban non-hospital pharmacists, and two rural non-hospital pharmacists.

Shauna Nowakowski becomes the first Pharmacy Technician voted in to SCPP Council as a voting member.

In August, the College, in partnership with CPDPP, launches mandatory harm reduction training for pharmacy professionals.

Health Canada issues a Section 56 Exemption on March 19 for all drugs covered under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) to reduce regulatory barriers and ensure patients maintain access to controlled substances for medical treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In March, the COVID-19 pandemic hits Canada.

On Feb. 7, the Ministry of Health approves the bylaw requiring a criminal record check as a condition of licensure.

SCPP Council decides to end the provision of awards from the College to align with the responsibilities of a regulatory authority. Past award recipients can be found here.

Pharmacists become legally permitted to prescribe controlled substances under strict conditions (Exemption 56).

1. Bylaws are approved in March.
2. Policy framework is approved September 26.
3. Training is completed in the fall.

The new additions to the Minor Ailment Prescribing Category are finalized.

On June 30, Jeanne Eriksen retires as Deputy Registrar and Lori Postnikoff replaces her as of September 4.

On January 8, Jeana Wendel replaces Ray Joubert as Registrar.

Work on the Travel Health Framework begins.

The Minor Ailments Prescribing category expands to include self-care indications such as smoking cessation and oral contraception.

On December 1, the Continuous Quality Improvement regulatory bylaw comes into effect and COMPASS is launched.

On May 15, the College offices are moved to 221A - 1900 Albert Street. Simultaneously, the College officially changes its logo.

On November 26, the first licensed pharmacy technician is registered in Saskatchewan.

October 19, Saskatchewan pharmacists participate for the first time in the provincial immunization program by administering the flu vaccine via injection.

On October 5, Bill 151 officially comes into effect.  

On May 14, Bill 151 “an Act to amend The Pharmacy Act , 1996 and to make consequential amendments to other Acts,” is proclaimed. The Bill brings the expansion of services that pharmacy professionals are able to provide to patients. The Bill:

1. Changes the name of the Act to The Pharmacy and Pharmacy Disciplines Act
2. Changes the name of the College to the Saskatchewan College of Pharmacy Professionals (SCPP); and authorizes:
   1. SCPP to regulate pharmacy technicians as licensed members practising in an independent defined scope of practice with title protection;
   2. Pharmacists to administer drugs by injection and other routes; and
   3. Pharmacists to order, access and use medical laboratory tests.

On May 1, seven more conditions to Minor Ailments Prescribed by Pharmacists are implemented.

The COMPASS pilot project is implemented.

Major revisions to " The Pharmacy Act , 1996 " are proposed:

1. Regulation of Pharmacy Technicians
2. Administration of Drugs
3. Ordering Medical Laboratory Tests

1. February 1 – first three conditions is implemented
2. May 24 – next four conditions is implemented

Level I prescription authority training becomes mandatory for licensure.

A Privacy Officer for each pharmacy becomes mandatory.

On August 4 – 6, the College hosts the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy/American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy District V Annual Meeting in Saskatoon .

The College’s newsletter SCOPe is introduced.

Centennial celebrations:

1. SCP Centennial Scholarship Fund, Inc. is established to replace the Diamond Jubilee Scholarship Fund
2. Ward Schell is commissioned to produce a work of art as a fundraiser for the Scholarship Fund
3. The Canadian Foundation for Pharmacy 2010 Pillar of Pharmacy Award honouring Bev Allen is celebrated on March 23, the 100^th anniversary date of the Pharmacy Act
4. The College hosts a Past-Presidents’ Luncheon & Reunion on May 1
5. The Centennial Pharmacy Award is established

Launched “Partners in Prescribing – My Pharmacist Knows” public education campaign. 

On March 4, Regulatory Bylaws of the SCP were amended allowing pharmacists to prescribe drugs (Section 23). Prescriptive Authority and Minor Ailments courses were designed and made available to pharmacists in order to prescribe these specific drugs. 

Celebrated the Canadian Foundation for Pharmacy 2007 Pillar of Pharmacy Award honouring Registrar Ray Joubert on November 13, 2007. 

Bill 22, “An Act to Amend The Pharmacy Act, 1996 ” was proclaimed to achieve three goals:

1. Change the name of SPhA to the “Saskatchewan College of Pharmacists” (SCP);
2. Recognize our authority to disburse the “check-off” funds for alternative reimbursement to the Representative Board of Saskatchewan Pharmacists; and
3. Grant Council the authority to make bylaws governing the prescribing of drugs by pharmacists.

At the same time, pharmacists were granted the ability to prescribe emergency contraception.

The Learning Portfolio became the continuing education requirement for licence renewal. 

Effective July 1, the “Structured Practice Experiences Program” at the College of Pharmacy and Nutrition became equivalent to the internship requirement for registration. This eliminated the post-graduate internship and allowed graduates to access a Conditional Practising Membership. The conditions are removed upon obtaining the Certificate of Qualification from the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC). 

Effective July 1, membership is RBSP became voluntary, but malpractice insurance continued to be a practising membership requirement. 

Reorganization complete as the Representative Board of Saskatchewan Pharmacists (RBSP) became incorporated as an organization legally separate from SPhA effective July 1, 2001. 

Signed the Mutual Recognition Agreement with 8 other provinces to enhance the mobility of pharmacists across Canada, effective July 1, 2001. This included important changes to membership categories:

1. Practising – active member involved in direct patient care
2. Non Practising – active member not involved in direct patient care

Reorganization implemented with the Representative Board of Saskatchewan Pharmacists, established as an independent but not autonomous organization on July 1, 1998. 

Passed the Exempted Codeine Bylaw restricting the sale of OTC products exceeding 50 solid dosage units and in liquid preparations exceeding 100mL.

The Pharmacy Act, 1996 proclaimed into law on January 1, 1998. With the new Act, Saskatchewan became the second province to adopt the national model drug scheduling system and the first to adopt the National Harmonized Schedule.

Created, developed and launched the “Trial Prescription Program”.

Initiated “Pharmaceutical Care Development Program”.

Established the Protocol for Disposal of Unused and Outdated Drugs.

Planned, developed and implemented the first “SunSmart” campaign for June.

Co-ordinated the development of pharmaceutical care pilot projects.

Completed our “Building Project” with the purchase and relocation of our office to the 700-4010 Pasqua Street location.

Developed a policy for pharmacist services in rural Saskatchewan where conventional services do not exist.  

Co-operated with Health and Welfare Canada in the implementation of the Non-Insured Health Benefits Program. 

Participated in the second annual National Pharmacy Week.  

Replaced the “Pharmacists at Risk” with “Members’ Assistance Program,” making a broad range of counseling services available to pharmacists.  

Implemented second “Medicine Cabinet Clean-Up” campaign. 

Conducted a major study of the continuing education needs of the pharmacists. 

Launched a voluntary campaign to remove tobacco from pharmacies.

Banned Talwin® Compound – 50 from Saskatchewan pharmacies. 

Co-operated with the design and implementation of the “Plastic Health Services Card Project” and the TALTEK Pharmaceutical Network.  

Co-operated with the physicians and dentists in the design and implementation of the “Triplicate Prescription Program”.

Celebrated the 75^th anniversary of SPhA.

Implemented “Medicine Cabinet Clean-Up” campaign.

Implemented the “Professional Services Area” concept, whereby the dispensary and front store containing over-the-counter medication would be distinct from the remainder of the premises. 

Ray Joubert becomes Registrar of the College.

Co-operated with the Department of Health in the implementation of Health Information Centres in many pharmacies. 

Voluntary implementation of the “Drug Caution Code Program” in pharmacies. 

Major changes to the Standards of Practice implemented, including mandatory patient profiles and safety vials. 

Mandatory continuing education for Saskatchewan pharmacists.

Co-operated in the design and implementation of the Saskatchewan Prescription Drug Plan.

"The Pharmacy Amendment Act, 1971", or the "Act to amend the Pharmacy Act, 1971" received Assent.

Celebrated the 50^th anniversary of SPhA.

Celebrated the 25^th anniversary of SPhA.

SPhA established with the passage of the first Pharmacy Act assented to on March 23, 1911.