Key Legislation and Policy Dates
- January 26, 2010 – The Nova Scotia government approved the Pharmacist Drug Prescribing Regulations, enabling pharmacists in Nova Scotia to provide expanded activities. http://www.nspharmacists.ca/whatsnew/documents/PharmPrescribingRegstoRxistswebsite_001.pdf
- November 17, 2010 - Bill 7 provided the legislative authority in the Pharmacy Act for the authority and regulation of pharmacists ordering, receiving, conducting, and interpreting tests needed to properly manage drug therapy; and the authority and regulation of pharmacists administering drugs including vaccines by injection. These have not yet been included in the standards by the Nova Scotia College of Pharmacists. http://nslegislature.ca/pdfs/committees/61_2_LACSubmissions/Bill7.pdf
- February 2011 – The Nova Scotia College of Pharmacists published standards of practice for the new regulations. http://www.nspharmacists.ca/standards/pdf/prescribing-standards-of-practice-january-2011.pdf
- May 13, 2011 - The Nova Scotia government passes Bill 17 - Fair Drug Pricing Act, an act respecting an insured prescription drug plan, including Fair Drug Pricing.
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Effective July 1, 2011, the Basic Medication Review Service was launched.
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July 1, 2011 - Bill 17 and a new agreement come into effect after negotiations between the Pharmacy Association of Nova Scotia and the Department of Health and Wellness. The new agreement includes the provincial government’s investment in funding medication reviews, prescription adaptation and therapeutic substitution for Pharmacare beneficiaries. http://www.pans.ns.ca/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/PANS-press-release-June-24.pdf, http://www.pans.ns.ca/login/?redirect_to=/2011/06/fair-drug-prices-act-and-regulations-proclaimed-new-tariff-agreement-approved-1407/ (password-protected)
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On January 30, 2012, the Minister commented on the positive impact of recent generic drug pricing reimbursement changes that came into effect with the passing of Bill 17 (when the Basic Medication Review Service was launched). http://www.gov.ns.ca/news/details.asp?id=20120130003