At this time I’d like to ask the Minister responsible for the bill if she’d like to make any opening comments. Ms. Lee, Minister of Health and Social Services.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yes, I would like to.
Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to be here to present Bill 10, An Act to Amend the Pharmacy Act. This amendment will give pharmacists limited prescribing authority to enable them to issue a continued care prescription for a limited supply of certain drugs under specific circumstances. By doing so, the pharmacist is able to provide a one-time extended refill of the medication patients need to continue to treat their chronic condition until a new prescription can be obtained from the medical practitioner.
Mr. Chairman, the previous government passed a new Pharmacy Act designed to ensure the public receives quality pharmaceutical services and care and to modernize the definition of the practice of pharmacy. Shortly after the act was passed, it was determined that the provision in the act that allows pharmacists to supply medication to the patient if there is immediate need and the person cannot see their medical practitioner for a new prescription was inconsistent with federal regulations under the Food and Drug Act.
Many stakeholders have contributed to the development of this bill, including the NWT pharmacists association, the NWT Medical Association and the Registered Nurses Association of the NWT and Nunavut. Thanks to the cooperative efforts of our stakeholders I am now able to bring forth an amendment that will accomplish what was intended in the current act.
Mr. Chairman, this concludes my remarks on Bill 10. I would be pleased to answer any questions you may have. Thank you.
Thank you, Minister Lee. I’d like to call on the standing committee responsible for reviewing the bill if they have any comments. At this time I’ll ask Mr. Abernethy.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. The Standing Committee on Social Programs conducted a public hearing on Bill 10, An Act to Amend the Pharmacy Act, on September 30, 2008.
The amendments contained in this act will correct an oversight in the drafting of the original Pharmacy Act and ensure that our legislation is in compliance with federal regulations covering the prescribing of drugs. Pharmacists will be able to prescribe limited quantities of drugs to patients who have an existing prescription from a health care practitioner and who cannot get in to see their health care practitioner. In these instances the pharmacist is also required to notify the health care practitioner who wrote the original prescription.
These amendments will allow for the continuing care of NWT residents and will lessen the burden on emergency departments at NWT hospitals.
It is important to note the collaborative approach the department took in addressing the oversight and the fact that the NWT Medical Association, the Registered Nurses Association and the NWT Pharmacy Association were all involved in finding a mutually acceptable solution that will ultimately benefit NWT residents.
This concludes the committee’s comments on Bill 10, An Act to Amend the Pharmacy Act. Individual members of the committee may have comments or questions as we proceed. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you, Mr. Abernethy. At this time I’d like to ask the Minister if she’ll be bringing in any witnesses. Minister Lee.
Yes, I will be. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Does the committee agree the Minister brings in her witnesses?
Agreed.
Sergeant-at-Arms, could you escort the witnesses in, please.
For the record, Minister Lee, could you introduce your witnesses, please.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. To my left is Mr. Gregory Cummings, deputy minister of Health and Social Services, and to my right is Ms. Kelly McLaughlin. She is the legislative counsel with the Department of Justice. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Thank you, Minister. Welcome, witnesses. General comments in regard to Bill 10. What is the wish of the committee? Details? Committee agreed?
Agreed.
Bill 10, An Act to Amend the Pharmacy Act.
Going back to page 1, the bill as a whole?
Bill 10 as a whole approved.
Does the committee agree that Bill 10 is now ready for third reading?
Bill 10 is now ready for third reading.
I would like to thank the Minister and witnesses. Sergeant-at-Arms, could you escort the witnesses out.
Moving on to Bill 13, An Act to Amend the Legal Profession Act.
