Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians Profession Regulation

(Consolidated up to 40/2023 ALBERTA REGULATION 129/2006 Health Professions Act PHARMACISTS AND PHARMACY TECHNICIANS PROFESSION REGULATION Table of Contents 1 Definitions 2 Register categories Registration 3 Clinical pharmacist register 3.1 Pharmacy technician register 4 Provisional pharmacist register 4.1 Provisional pharmacy technician register 5 Equivalent jurisdiction — pharmacists 5.1 Equivalent jurisdiction — pharmacy technicians 6 Substantial equivalence — pharmacists 6.1 Substantial equivalence — pharmacy technicians 7 Courtesy pharmacist register applications 7.1 Courtesy pharmacy technician register applications 8 Examination attempts 9 Student pharmacist register 10 Structured practical training program — pharmacists 10.1 Structured practical training program — pharmacy technicians 14.1 Age requirement Titles and Abbreviations 15 Authorization to use titles, etc. 15.1 Authorization to use titles, etc. Animal Health 23.1 Animal health — pharmacists 23.2 Animal health — pharmacy technicians Practice Permit Renewal Requirements 32 Renewal requirements Transitional Provisions, Repeals and Coming into Force 43 Transitional provisions 44 Repeals 45 Coming into force Definitions 1 In this Regulation, (a) “Act” means the Health Professions Act ; (b) “clinical pharmacist” means a regulated member registered in the clinical pharmacist register category of the regulated members register; (c) “College” means the Alberta College of Pharmacy; (d), (e) repealed AR 40/2023 s2; (f) “Council” means the council of the College; (g) “courtesy pharmacist” means a regulated member registered in the courtesy pharmacist register category of the regulated members register; (g.1) “courtesy pharmacy technician” means a regulated member registered in the courtesy pharmacy technician register category of the regulated members register; (h) repealed AR 40/2023 s2; (i) “drug” means a drug as defined in the Pharmacy and Drug Act ; (j) repealed AR 40/2023 s2; (k), (l) repealed AR 90/2011 s3; (m) repealed AR 40/2023 s2; (n) repealed AR 90/2011 s3; (o) “pharmacy” means a licensed pharmacy and an institution pharmacy, as defined in the Pharmacy and Drug Act ; (p) “pharmacy technician” means a regulated member registered in the pharmacy technician register category of the regulated members register; (p.1) “practice of pharmacists” means the practice of pharmacists as described in section 3(1) of Schedule 19 to the Act; (p.2) “practice of pharmacy technicians” means the practice of pharmacy technicians as described in section 3(2) of Schedule 19 to the Act; (q) “provisional pharmacist” means a regulated member registered in the provisional pharmacist register category of the regulated members register; (q.1) “provisional pharmacy technician” means a regulated member registered in the provisional pharmacy technician register category of the regulated members register; (r) “Registrar” means the registrar of the College; (r.1) “Registration Committee” means the registration committee of the College; (s) “Schedule 1 drug” means a Schedule 1 drug within the meaning of the Pharmacy and Drug Act ; (t), (u) repealed AR 40/2023 s2; (u.1) “Standards of Practice” means the standards of practice of pharmacists or pharmacy technicians adopted by the Council under section 133 of the Act; (v) “structured practical training program for pharmacists” means the structured practical training program for pharmacists referred to in section 10; (w) “structured practical training program for pharmacy technicians” means the structured practical training program for pharmacy technicians referred to in section 10.1; (x) “student pharmacist” means a regulated member of the College registered in the student pharmacist register category of the regulated members register. AR 129/2006 s1;90/2011;40/2023 Register categories 2 The regulated members register established by the Council under section 33(1)(a) of the Act has the following categories: (a) clinical pharmacist register; (b) provisional pharmacist register; (c) courtesy pharmacist register; (d) student pharmacist register; (e) pharmacy technician register; (f) provisional pharmacy technician register; (g) courtesy pharmacy technician register. AR 129/2006 s2;90/2011 Registration Clinical pharmacist register 3 (1) An applicant for registration as a regulated member on the clinical pharmacist register must (a) have received a baccalaureate degree in pharmacy from a pharmacy program approved by the Council, (b) have successfully completed a structured practical training program for pharmacists, and (c) have successfully passed the registration and the ethics and jurisprudence examinations for pharmacists approved by the Council. (2) An applicant (a) must have completed the requirements set out in subsection (1)(b) and (c) within the 2‑year period ending immediately before the applicant submits a complete application, or (b) must demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Registrar that the applicant is currently competent to practise pharmacy. (3) For the purpose of subsection (2)(b), the Registrar may require the applicant to do one or more of the following: (a) successfully complete coursework and examinations; (b) undergo an evaluation of competencies; (c) complete an additional structured practical training program for pharmacists. (4) For the purpose of subsection (3), the Registrar may register an applicant on the provisional pharmacist register. AR 129/2006 s3;90/2011 Pharmacy technician register 3.1 (1) An applicant for registration as a regulated member on the pharmacy technician register must (a) have received a certificate or diploma from a pharmacy technician program approved by the Council, (b) have successfully completed a structured practical training program for pharmacy technicians, and (c) have successfully passed the registration and the ethics and jurisprudence examinations for pharmacy technicians approved by the Council. (2) An applicant (a) must have completed the requirements set out in subsection (1)(b) and (c) within the 2‑year period ending immediately before the applicant submits a complete application, or (b) must demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Registrar that the applicant is currently competent to practise as a pharmacy technician. (3) For the purpose of subsection (2)(b), the Registrar may require the applicant to do one or more of the following: (a) successfully complete coursework and examinations; (b) undergo an evaluation of competencies; (c) complete an additional structured practical training program for pharmacy technicians. (4) For the purpose of subsection (3), the Registrar may register an applicant on the provisional pharmacy technician register. AR 90/2011 s6 Provisional pharmacist register 4 (1) An applicant for registration as a regulated member on the clinical pharmacist register may be registered initially on the provisional pharmacist register if the applicant has successfully completed all of the requirements for the granting of a baccalaureate degree in pharmacy from a pharmacy program approved by the Council and the applicant (a) has applied to write the registration examination or the ethics and jurisprudence examination for pharmacists approved by the Council, (b) has written and is awaiting the results of the registration examination or the ethics and jurisprudence examination for pharmacists approved by the Council, or (c) is carrying out a structured practical training program for pharmacists. (2) An applicant may be registered on the provisional pharmacist register under section 3, 5 or 6. (3) If a provisional pharmacist does not meet the requirements for registration on the clinical pharmacist register within 2 years of the date of registration as a provisional pharmacist, the Registrar must remove the provisional pharmacist’s name from the provisional pharmacist register. (4) Despite subsection (3), the Registrar may, on application by the provisional pharmacist, extend the 2‑year period in subsection (3) if the Registrar is satisfied that there are extenuating circumstances. AR 129/2006 s4;90/2011 Provisional pharmacy technician register 4.1 (1) An applicant for registration as a regulated member on the pharmacy technician register may be registered initially on the provisional pharmacy technician register if the applicant has successfully completed all of the requirements for the granting of a certificate or diploma from a program approved by the Council and the applicant (a) has applied to write the registration examination or the ethics and jurisprudence examination for pharmacy technicians approved by the Council, (b) has written and is awaiting the results of the registration examination or the ethics and jurisprudence examination for pharmacy technicians approved by the Council, or (c) is carrying out a structured practical training program for pharmacy technicians. (2) An applicant may be registered on the provisional pharmacy technician register under section 3.1, 5.1 or 6.1. (3) If a provisional pharmacy technician does not meet the requirements for registration on the pharmacy technician register within 2 years of the date of registration as a provisional pharmacy technician, the Registrar must remove the provisional pharmacy technician’s name from the provisional pharmacy technician register. (4) Despite subsection (3), the Registrar may, on application by the provisional pharmacy technician, extend the 2‑year period in subsection (3) if the Registrar is satisfied that there are extenuating circumstances. AR 90/2011 s8 Equivalent jurisdiction — pharmacists 5 (1) An applicant for registration as a regulated member on the clinical pharmacist register who is currently registered as a pharmacist in good standing in another jurisdiction recognized by the Council under section 28(2)(b) of the Act as having substantially equivalent registration requirements and who successfully completes the ethics and jurisprudence examination for pharmacists approved by the Council may be registered on the clinical pharmacist register. (2) The Registrar may register an applicant under subsection (1) who has applied to write or has written and is awaiting the results of an examination referred to in subsection (1) on the provisional pharmacist register. AR 129/2006 s5;90/2011 Equivalent jurisdiction — pharmacy technicians 5.1 (1) An applicant for registration as a regulated member on the pharmacy technician register who is currently registered as a pharmacy technician in good standing in another jurisdiction recognized by the Council under section 28(2)(b) of the Act as having substantially equivalent registration requirements and who successfully completes the ethics and jurisprudence examination for pharmacy technicians approved by the Council may be registered on the pharmacy technician register. (2) The Registrar may register an applicant under subsection (1) who has applied to write or has written and is awaiting the results of an examination referred to in subsection (1) on the provisional pharmacy technician register. AR 90/2011 s10 Substantial equivalence — pharmacists 6 (1) An applicant for registration as a regulated member on the clinical pharmacist register who does not meet the requirements of section 3(1) and (2) but whose qualifications have been determined by the Registrar under section 28(2)(c) of the Act to be substantially equivalent to the registration requirements set out in section 3(1) and (2) may be registered on the clinical pharmacist register. (2) In determining whether an applicant’s qualifications are substantially equivalent under subsection (1), the Registrar may require the applicant to undergo examination, testing and assessment activities and to successfully pass the ethics and jurisprudence examination for pharmacists approved by the Council. (3) For the determination under subsection (2), the Registrar may use the services of experts and other resources to assist with the examination, testing and assessment activities. (4) The Registrar may require an applicant to pay all the costs incurred under subsections (2) and (3). (5) The Registrar may direct the applicant to undergo any education or training activities the Registrar may consider necessary in order for the applicant to be registered, including but not restricted to completion of a structured practical training program for pharmacists. (6) The Registrar may register an applicant under subsection (1) on the provisional pharmacist register for the purpose of assessing whether the applicant’s qualifications are substantially equivalent to the registration requirements set out in section 3(1) and (2). (7) The Registrar may request any further information and evidence that the Registrar considers necessary in order to assess an application under this section. AR 129/2006 s6;90/2011 Substantial equivalence — pharmacy technicians 6.1 (1) An applicant for registration as a regulated member on the pharmacy technician register who does not meet the requirements of section 3.1(1) and (2) but whose qualifications have been determined by the Registrar under section 28(2)(c) of the Act to be substantially equivalent to the registration requirements set out in section 3.1(1) and (2) may be registered on the pharmacy technician register. (2) In determining whether an applicant’s qualifications are substantially equivalent under subsection (1), the Registrar may require the applicant to undergo examination, testing and assessment activities and to successfully pass the ethics and jurisprudence examination for pharmacy technicians approved by the Council. (3) For the determination under subsection (2), the Registrar may use the services of experts and other resources to assist with the examination, testing and assessment activities. (4) The Registrar may require an applicant to pay all of the costs incurred under subsections (2) and (3). (5) The Registrar may direct the applicant to undergo any education or training activities the Registrar may consider necessary in order for the applicant to be registered, including, but not restricted to, completion of a structured practical training program for pharmacy technicians. (6) The Registrar may register an applicant under subsection (1) on the provisional pharmacy technician register for the purpose of assessing whether the applicant’s qualifications are substantially equivalent to the registration requirements set out in section 3.1(1) and (2). (7) The Registrar may request any further information and evidence that the Registrar considers necessary in order to assess an application under this section. AR 90/2011 s12 Courtesy pharmacist register applications 7 (1) An individual who is registered as a pharmacist in good standing in another jurisdiction and who requires registration in Alberta on a temporary basis for a specified purpose may apply to be registered on the courtesy pharmacist register. (2) The Registrar may register an applicant under subsection (1) on the courtesy pharmacist register for a period of time specified by the Registrar if (a) the specified purpose is approved by the Registrar, and (b) the Registrar is satisfied of the applicant’s competence to provide the services related to the specified purpose safely and effectively. (3) The Registrar may require an applicant for registration on the courtesy pharmacist register to successfully pass the ethics and jurisprudence examination for pharmacists approved by the Council. (4) A courtesy pharmacist must maintain his or her registration in the other jurisdiction while registered on the courtesy pharmacist register. AR 129/2006 s7;90/2011 Courtesy pharmacy technician register applications 7.1 (1) An individual who is registered as a pharmacy technician in good standing in another jurisdiction and who requires registration in Alberta on a temporary basis for a specified purpose may apply to be registered on the courtesy pharmacy technician register. (2) The Registrar may register an applicant under subsection (1) on the courtesy pharmacy technician register for a period of time specified by the Registrar if (a) the specified purpose is approved by the Registrar, and (b) the Registrar is satisfied of the applicant’s competence to provide the services related to the specified purpose safely and effectively. (3) The Registrar may require an applicant for registration on the courtesy pharmacy technician register to successfully pass the ethics and jurisprudence examination for pharmacy technicians approved by the Council. (4) A courtesy pharmacy technician must maintain his or her registration in the other jurisdiction while registered on the courtesy pharmacy technician register. AR 90/2011 s14 Examination attempts 8 (1) Subject to subsection (2), an applicant for registration as a regulated member may attempt the registration examination and the ethics and jurisprudence examination only 3 times each. (2) An applicant who fails the registration examination or the ethics and jurisprudence examination 3 times may apply to the Registrar for permission for one final attempt. (3) The Registrar may require an applicant under subsection (2) (a) to successfully complete coursework and examinations, and (b) to complete an additional period of structured practical training for pharmacists or pharmacy technicians, as the case may be. AR 129/2006 s8;90/2011 Student pharmacist register 9 An applicant for registration as a regulated member on the student pharmacist register must (a) be registered in a university program approved by the Council, and (b) undertake to engage in the practice of pharmacists as part of a structured practical training program for pharmacists. AR 129/2006 s9;90/2011 Structured practical training program — pharmacists 10 (1) The Council must make rules governing the structured practical training program for pharmacists, including rules relating to (a) the competencies to be acquired, (b) the structure, duration and organization of the program, (c) evaluation mechanisms, processes and requirements for successful completion of the program, and (d) any other matter directly related to the structured practical training program for pharmacists. (2) A structured practical training program for pharmacists must take place (a) at a pharmacy or other facility approved by the Registrar, and (b) under the preceptorship of a clinical pharmacist approved by the Registrar. (3) Despite subsection (2)(b), the Registrar may approve a preceptorship by an individual who is not a clinical pharmacist if the Registrar is satisfied that the individual has the training, skills and experience necessary to teach the practice of pharmacists. AR 129/2006 s10;90/2011 Structured practical training program — pharmacy technicians 10.1 (1) The Council must make rules governing the structured practical training program for pharmacy technicians, including rules relating to (a) the competencies to be acquired, (b) the structure, duration and organization of the program, (c) evaluation mechanisms, processes and requirements for successful completion of the program, and (d) any other matter directly related to the structured practical training program for pharmacy technicians. (2) A structured practical training program for pharmacy technicians must take place (a) at a pharmacy or other facility approved by the Registrar, and (b) under the preceptorship of a pharmacy technician, clinical pharmacist or courtesy pharmacist approved by the Registrar. (3) Despite subsection (2)(b), the Registrar may approve a preceptorship by an individual who is not a pharmacy technician, clinical pharmacist or courtesy pharmacist if the Registrar is satisfied that the individual has the training, skills and experience necessary to teach the practice of pharmacy technicians. AR 90/2011 s17 11 to 14 Repealed AR 40/2023 s3. Age requirement 14.1 An applicant for registration as a regulated member on any one of the following registers must provide evidence to the Registrar that the applicant is at least 18 years of age: (a) clinical pharmacist register; (b) courtesy pharmacist register; (c) pharmacy technician register; (d) courtesy pharmacy technician register. AR 90/2011 s20 Titles and Abbreviations Authorization to use titles, etc. 15 (1) A clinical pharmacist may use the following titles, abbreviations and initials: (a) pharmacist; (b) clinical pharmacist; (c) pharmaceutical chemist; (d) druggist; (e) apothecary; (f) registered pharmacist; (g) Ph.C.; (h) R.Ph. (2) A provisional pharmacist may use the titles pharmacy intern and pharmacist intern. (3) A courtesy pharmacist may use the following titles, abbreviations and initials: (a) pharmacist; (b) pharmaceutical chemist; (c) druggist; (d) apothecary; (e) registered pharmacist; (f) Ph.C.; (g) R.Ph. (4) A student pharmacist may use the titles pharmacy student and pharmacist student. (5) A clinical pharmacist and a courtesy pharmacist with an earned doctoral degree in pharmacy or a related area recognized by the Council may use the title doctor or the abbreviations Pharm.D. and Dr. in conjunction with the practice of pharmacists. (6) A clinical pharmacist may use the title specialist if the clinical pharmacist (a) meets the requirements established by Council for the use of the title specialist, and (b) is authorized by the Registrar to use that title. (7) The Registrar must indicate an authorization under subsection (6) on the clinical pharmacist register. (8) The Registrar may impose conditions on an authorization issued under subsection (6)(b). AR 129/2006 s15;90/2011 Authorization to use titles, etc. 15.1 (1) A pharmacy technician and a courtesy pharmacy technician may use the words “registered” and “regulated” and may use the following titles, abbreviations and initials: (a) pharmacy technician; (b) pharmacy technologist; (c) dispensary technician; (d) dispensary technologist; (e) Pharm.Tech.; (f) Ph.T.; (g) R.Ph.T. (2) A provisional pharmacy technician may use the title provisional pharmacy technician. AR 90/2011 s22 16 to 19 Repealed AR 40/2023 s4. 20 Repealed AR 90/2011 s27. 21 to 23 Repealed AR 40/2023 s4. Animal Health Animal health — pharmacists 23.1 (1) A clinical pharmacist and a courtesy pharmacist are authorized to perform, within the practice of pharmacists and in accordance with the Standards of Practice, the following services to support animal health: (a) to compound, dispense and sell drugs for animals; (b) to prescribe drugs for animals for the purpose of renewing a prescription to dispense a Schedule 1 drug or blood product to ensure continuity of care. (2) A provisional pharmacist and a student pharmacist are authorized to perform, within the practice of pharmacists and in accordance with the Standards of Practice, the services referred to in subsection (1) under the supervision of a clinical pharmacist or courtesy pharmacist. (3) Subject to the rules of the structured practical training program for pharmacists, the supervision under subsection (2) may be either direct supervision or indirect supervision, as the supervising clinical pharmacist or courtesy pharmacist considers appropriate to ensure the safe and effective performance of the services. Animal health — pharmacy technicians 23.2 (1) A pharmacy technician and a courtesy pharmacy technician are authorized, within the practice of pharmacy technicians and in accordance with the Standards of Practice, to compound, dispense and sell drugs for animals under the direction of a clinical pharmacist or a courtesy pharmacist to support animal health. (2) A provisional pharmacy technician and a student enrolled in a pharmacy technician program approved by the Council are authorized to perform, within the practice of pharmacy technicians and in accordance with the Standards of Practice, the services referred to in subsection (1) under the supervision of a clinical pharmacist, courtesy pharmacist, pharmacy technician or courtesy pharmacy technician. (3) The supervision under subsection (2), (a) in the case of a provisional pharmacy technician, subject to the rules of the structured practical training program for pharmacy technicians, may be either direct supervision or indirect supervision, as the supervising clinical pharmacist, courtesy pharmacist, pharmacy technician, or courtesy pharmacy technician considers appropriate to ensure the safe and effective performance of the services, and (b) in the case of a student enrolled in a pharmacy technician program approved by the Council, must be direct supervision. AR 129/2006 s23;151/2021 24 to 31 Repealed AR 40/2023 s5. Practice Permit Renewal Requirements Renewal requirements 32 In addition to meeting the requirements established under section 40 of the Act, a regulated member applying for renewal of the member’s practice permit, if requested by the Registrar or Registration Committee, must provide one or more of the following: (a) a photo ID of the member in the form required by the Registrar or Registration Committee; (b) evidence of being a Canadian citizen or being lawfully permitted to work in Canada; (c) evidence of English language proficiency. AR 129/2006 s 32;40/2023 33 to 36 Repealed AR 40/2023 s8. 37 to 40 Repealed AR 40/2023 s9. 41 and 42 Repealed AR 40/2023 s10. Transitional Provisions, Repeals and Coming into Force Transitional provisions 43 On the coming into force of this Regulation, a registered member described in section 8 of Schedule 19 to the Act is deemed to be entered on the regulated members register in the register category that the Registrar considers appropriate. Repeals 44 The Pharmaceutical Profession Regulation (AR 322/94), the Prescription of Drugs by Authorized Practitioners Regulation (AR 83/98) and the Scheduled Drugs Regulation (AR 86/2002) are repealed. Coming into force 45 This Regulation comes into force on the coming into force of Schedule 19 to the Health Professions Act and the Pharmacy and Drug Act .