Ontario College of PHARMACISTS

Ontario College of Pharmacists

The Ontario College of Pharmacists (OCP) is the governing body for pharmacists in Ontario. The Office of the Fairness Commissioner (OFC) oversees the registration practices of the college to ensure that they are transparent, objective, impartial and fair for anyone who wants to practise as a pharmacist in this province.

In 2009, the OCP submitted its first-ever Fair Registrations Practices (FRP) Report, covering 2008, to the OFC. Since then, it has also submitted an FRP Report covering 2009 and its first audit of registration practices.

2009
2008

Applications to Practise Processed by the OCP in 2009
Jan. 1 to Dec. 31	Jurisdiction Where Applicants Received Their Training					Total
Jan. 1 to Dec. 31	Ontario	Other Canadian Provinces	USA	Other International	Unknown	Total
New applications received	452	76	23	354	0	905
Applicants who became members	221	81	43	295	0	640

During 2008 - 2009, the OFC monitored developments related to the registration practices of the OCP:

The OCP developed a new regulation in the summer of 2008 and invited the OFC to comment on it. The OFC noted the OCP's efforts, in the new regulation, to clarify the criteria used to assess applicants' language proficiency and to determine applicants' suitability to practise. The OFC also supported the steps the OCP is taking to make the practical training requirement more flexible, so that the experience applicants have acquired prior to applying for registration is better taken into account.

However, the OFC expressed concerns about an OCP proposal to require international pharmacy graduates (IPGs) to take bridging programs approved by the OCP's council, because the cost of the program is likely to create a hardship for IPGs and the proposal does not include an offer of financial assistance. As of March 31, 2009, after several discussions with the OFC, the OCP was exploring alternatives to this proposal.

Applications to Practise Processed by the OCP in 2008
Jan. 1 to Dec. 31	Jurisdiction Where Applicants Received Their Training					Total
Jan. 1 to Dec. 31	Ontario	Other Canadian Provinces	USA	Other International	Unknown	Total
New applications received	327	80	35	285	0	727
Applicants who became members	200	86	38	255	0	579

The OCP uses the following outside organization/s to assess the qualifications of its applicants:

The Ontario College of Pharmacists falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.

The OFC does not assess credentials, handle complaints or intervene in particular cases. Our mandate is one of systemic change. Please contact the OCP for further information about your ability to practise as a pharmacist in Ontario.

Did you know?