OBJECTIVES:
This
paper provides an explanatory
policy analysis of the new legislation which
permits pharmacist prescribing in
Alberta,
Canada the
Pharmacists Profession
Regulations (2006) to the
Health Professions Act (1999). Its purpose is to provide useful insights for
pharmacy regulatory bodies in other jurisdictions internationally that are in a position to pursue
similar opportunities.
METHODS:
A search for
government and regulatory body
documents related to
Alberta healthcare system and
pharmacist prescribing was performed. Correspondence was initiated with authors and regulators to clarify or obtain current data. KEY
FINDINGS:
Research to support
policy change recommendations and
communication among
healthcare professionals, regulators and other stakeholders is essential for developing and implementing
legislative change regarding
health professionals' scopes of practice at a
time when
legislative change is possible. Stakeholder barriers to implementation need to be identified early to provide opportunity to
address and resolve.
CONCLUSIONS:
Collaboration between
healthcare professionals, regulators and other stakeholders is essential to developing a prescribing model that can be successfully implemented when there is the opportunity for
legislative change related to
health professionals'
scope of practice.