Thank you, Mr. Chair. The Standing Committee on Social Programs conducted a public hearing on Bill 10, An Act to Amend the Pharmacy Act, on September 30, 2008.
The amendments contained in this act will correct an oversight in the drafting of the original Pharmacy Act and ensure that our legislation is in compliance with federal regulations covering the prescribing of drugs. Pharmacists will be able to prescribe limited quantities of drugs to patients who have an existing prescription from a health care practitioner and who cannot get in to see their health care practitioner. In these instances the pharmacist is also required to notify the health care practitioner who wrote the original prescription.
These amendments will allow for the continuing care of NWT residents and will lessen the burden on emergency departments at NWT hospitals.
It is important to note the collaborative approach the department took in addressing the oversight and the fact that the NWT Medical Association, the Registered Nurses Association and the NWT Pharmacy Association were all involved in finding a mutually acceptable solution that will ultimately benefit NWT residents.
This concludes the committee’s comments on Bill 10, An Act to Amend the Pharmacy Act. Individual members of the committee may have comments or questions as we proceed. Thank you, Mr. Chair.