Thank you, Mr. Chair. The Standing Committee on Social Programs conducted a public review of Bill 7, Pharmacy Act, on September 5th, 2006, and October 16th, 2006. The committee would like to thank the representatives of the NWT Pharmacists Association, the NWT Medical Association and the Registered Nurses' Association of the NWT and Nunavut for appearing before committee to discuss the ramifications of the passage of the Pharmacy Act for all health practitioners in the NWT.
It became apparent to committee members at the September 5th public hearing that there were serious concerns on the part of the NWT Medical Association representing the doctors and the Registered Nurses' Association of the NWT/Nunavut over the scope of practice for pharmacists proposing the new legislation. These concerns centred on the pharmacist's proposed ability to issue and alter prescriptions without consulting with a doctor or nurse who originated the prescription, and on the availability of nurses in the health centres and nurse practitioners to issue drugs under the proposed legislation. It is a tribute to the professionalism and dedication of all three associations, that they were able to
meet with the Department of Health and Social Services and come to an agreement on new wording that satisfied their needs and allowed the act that regulates the practice of pharmacy to be modernized to recognize existing best practices. This collaborative approach is reflected in the five amendments that were passed during the clause-by-clause review at the committee stage.
Mr. Chairman, I would now like to ask my colleague Mr. Pokiak to conclude the statement. Thank you.