Extended practice certification
There are five areas of practice which are considered extended practice under the Pharmacist and Pharmacy Technician Regulations :
- administering by injection a drug or vaccine prescribed by a medical practitioner or nurse practitioner;
- administering a hormonal contraceptive by injection;
- prescribing and administering intranasally or by injection a vaccine for a disease listed in Schedule A;
- prescribing and administering by injection a vaccine for a disease listed in Schedule B;
- dispensing opioid agonist treatment.
Only a pharmacist registered in the General Class of the Pharmacist Register, who holds an Extended Practice Certificate (EPC), may practice any of the extended practice activities. The EPC is valid for one year and expires on April 1. The application for the EPCs can be found in the member portal of the PEI College of Pharmacy website. All EPCs must be renewed annually through the member portal.
The requirements for initial application are outlined below. Proof of completion of the required education programs may be submitted to the College via the document upload function in the member portal at the time the application is submitted.
1. Extended Practice Certificate in Drug Administration
Pharmacists who hold an Extended Practice Certificate in Drug Administration may administer a drug or vaccine prescribed by a medical practitioner or nurse practitioner by injection, a hormonal contraceptive by injection, or a vaccine for a disease listed in Schedule A of the Pharmacist and Pharmacy Technician Regulations by injection or intranasally.
A pharmacist applying for an Extended Practice Certificate in Drug Administration must follow the application requirements detailed in RP.07 Application Requirements – EPC Drug Administration and include evidence that they have completed a CCCEP competency mapped accredited program in immunization and injection and CPR/First Aid certification. There is a $50.00 application fee.
Pharmacists are required to renew their EPC each year. Renewals are be completed in the member portal. The fee for renewing an EPC in Drug Administration is $25.00.
The Practice Directives-Drug Administration establish responsibility for pharmacists when administering drugs. Pharmacists will practice in accordance with these Practice Directives, Public Health Immunization Regulations , Code of Ethics , Standards of Practice , as well as regulations established under the Regulated Health Professions Act .
2. EXTENDED PRACTICE CERTIFICATE – TRAVEL VACCINE AUTHORITY
Additionally, pharmacists who hold an Extended Practice Certificate in Drug Administration may apply for additional authority to prescribe and administer by injection a vaccine for a disease listed in Schedule B of the Pharmacist and Pharmacy Technician Regulations.
A pharmacist applying for an Extended Practice Certificate – Travel Vaccine Authority must follow the application requirements found in RP. 10: Application Requirements – EPC Travel Vaccine Authority and include evidence that they have completed an accredited education and training program that covers the diseases listed in Schedule B. There is a $50.00 application fee.
Pharmacists are required to renew their EPC each year. Renewals are be completed in the member portal. The fee for renewing an EPC in Drug Administration is $25.00.
3. Extended Practice Certificate in Dispensing OPIOID AGONIST TREATMENT
In accordance with the Pharmacist and Pharmacy Technician Regulations, any pharmacist who is involved in the provision of opioid agonist treatment is required to obtain an Extended Practice Certification in Dispensing Opioid Agonist Treatment.
A pharmacist applying for an Extended Practice Certificate – Opioid Agonist Treatment must follow the application requirements found in RP. 09: Application Requirements – EPC Dispensing Methadone and Suboxone and include evidence that they have completed an education program approved by Council. Certificates of completion may be uploaded in the registrant profile at the time of application. There is a $50.00 application fee.
Pharmacists are required to renew their EPC each year. Renewals are be completed in the member portal. The fee for renewing an EPC in Drug Administration is $25.00.
The course options are:
1. Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Opioid Use Disorder Treatment Course
2. PEI Opioid Use Disorder-Integrating Knowledge into Person-Centered Care
This course is now available through Dalhousie Continuing Pharmacy Education as of January 17, 2023. Click on the link above to register.