Key Legislation and Policy Dates

• Limited information is available in the public domain in English for Quebec.
• Through the Pharmaceutical Opinion Program, a pharmacist may provide advice to the physician for the following:
  • Interrupting a drug, prevent taking a drug, substituting a drug, or modifying a drug related to any of the following situations (allergy, interaction, contraindication, duplication, pregnancy or nursing, ineffectiveness, side effect or intolerance, toxicity)
  • Responding to circumstances leading to the: addition of a required complementary medication, supervision of medication therapy, preparation of a withdrawal schedule related to benzodiazepines, modification of the administration system for parenteral products.
  • Addressing compliance issues in patients with asthma, tuberculosis, dyslipidemia, heart disease, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, epilepsy or human immunodeficiency virus or who are taking psychotropic medications.
• Negotiations between the Ordre des Pharmaciens du Quebec and the Minister of Health and Social Services are in progress. http://www.healthedition.com/printArticle.cfm?articleID=9333
• Bill 41was passed in December 2011, and outlines several amendments to the Pharmacy Act.  http://www2.publicationsduquebec.gouv.qc.ca/dynamicSearch/telecharge.php?type=5&file=2011C37A.PDF 
  There will be six new pharmacist activities, including:
  • Renewing a prescription
  • Modifying a prescription (dosage form, dose, quantity, directions)
  • Therapeutic substitution in the event of drug shortages
  • Administering a medication for demonstration purposes (excluding intravenous)
  • Prescribing and interpreting lab tests for monitoring purposes (excluding diagnosis)
  • Prescribing a medication when no diagnosis is required (e.g., preventive purposes)
• The Order of Pharmacists and the College of Physicians will need to discuss the regulation aspects as part of next steps for Bill 41 before any changes are implemented.