The Nova Scotia College of Pharmacists (NSCP) is the regulatory authority for the practice of pharmacy in Nova Scotia. It regulates pharmacists and pharmacy technicians and the community pharmacies where they practice. While pharmacists recognize that the NSCP is their regulator—not their advocate—they believe that improving the way the NSCP engages with them and with key stakeholders could positively impact pharmacists practising to the full scope of their knowledge and skills.

A sample of what pharmacists said:
Tone of engagement (during audits) needs to be educational and not punitive. Pharmacists are feeling intimidated by [the NSCP], and that intimidation can lead to lack of participation in their scope of practice.

Of course I understand that there will be more regulation, responsibility, and accountability in expanded and enhanced practice. When I ask you “how” to do certain things, the answer I get is “NSCP doesn’t provide any ‘how to,’ only the ‘what to’ and ‘must do.'” Makes me feel inadequate and alone.

Inspectors could be used as a resource to help build confidence and understanding of expanded scope of practice by helping pharmacies with difficulties in providing tips used by successful pharmacies.

What the NSCP will do:
Direction 3 in the NSCP’s strategic plan is to Nurture Relationships with Stakeholders.
Direction 4 in our strategic plan is to Enhance the Quality and Efficiency of Standards and Processes.

The following three major initiatives under these directions will help address the barrier of the NSCP’s communication approach:
1. Implement a communication plan.
2. Seek out and establish new relationships as appropriate, including transitioning the new Registrar into existing key relationships.
3. Establish a process for ongoing evaluation and revision of the inspection process that includes a feedback mechanism for audit participants.