Pharmacy Virtual Care Guidelines in Canada
Updated: Feb 9, 2021
Virtual care has become more prominent due to the outbreak of COVID-19. Pharmacists across Canada are providing professional services through virtual platforms to ensure continuity of care. Here we have outlined current provincial virtual care guidelines and their respective government reimbursement information.
Atlantic Provinces
Download PDF version here
Nova Scotia
Pharmacists may provide virtual prescribing and consultation services
Prescription renewals as well as minor ailment assessment/prescribing conducted virtually will be publicly-funded until June 30, 2020
Pharmacy managers are responsible for ensuring patient’s security and confidentiality with a virtual consultation and must ensure that the platform used is approved by the Nova Scotia Department of Health and Wellness
Resources:
Nova Scotia College of Pharmacists - Pharmacy Practice Guidelines for Virtual Pharmacy During COVID-19
Pharmacists’ Bulletin - May 2020
Pharmacists’ Bulletin - March 2020
Newfoundland and Labrador
Pharmacists may provide pharmacy services such as medication reviews, counselling, and deprescribing consultations virtually or over-the-phone
Resources:
New Brunswick
Pharmacists may provide clinical services virtually for patients in long-term care facilities
Resources:
Prince Edward Island
Insufficient information available regarding virtual care provision by pharmacists.
Central Provinces
Download PDF version here
Ontario
Pharmacists may provide virtual care when on-site care is deemed unsafe or inaccessible
Virtual care may be appropriate for but not limited to situations such as counselling a COVID-19 positive patient, counselling an elderly or vulnerable patient to support self-isolation, observing opioid agonist ingestion, or demonstrating how to use a medical device
MedsChecks that are conducted virtually or over the phone and considered to be medically necessary will be reimbursed by the ODB program
Resources:
Quebec
Insufficient information available regarding virtual care provision by pharmacists.
Prairie Provinces
Download PDF version here
Manitoba
Pharmacists authorized to prescribe were able to write prescriptions for an assessment conducted virtually even prior to the COVID-19 pandemic
Due to the pandemic, authorized pharmacists may also write prescriptions for an assessment conducted over-the-phone
There is no government reimbursement for minor ailments assessment and prescribing, regardless of it being virtual or on-site
Resources:
CPHM Practice Direction Prescribing
CPHM Friday Five - May 15, 2020
CPHIM - Guidelines fo r ensuring pharmacy accessibility during a health crisis, or
Saskatchewan
Pharmacists may provide SMAP, MACPP, PACT, and minor ailments consultations through virtual platforms
Virtual care for these services are reimbursed by the provincial drug benefit program
At this time, pharmacies are required to utilize the Pexip platform to receive reimbursement for professional services. However, other platforms will be allowed on a case by case basis when authorized by the provincial drug benefit program
Resources:
Pharmacy Information Bulletin April 21, 2020 - Virtual Visits Using Pexip During COVID-19 Pandemic
Alberta
Pharmacists may provide clinical services via virtual care platforms if required (i.e. writing a prescription for a patient assessment conducted virtually)
When providing virtual care, pharmacists must follow protocols as outlined by the Alberta College of Pharmacy
Comprehensive documentation of the clinical services provided virtually (i.e. verbal patient consent for CACP and SMMA) is required for reimbursement claims
Resources:
Alberta Blue Cross Compliance Verification Benefact Update - April 2020
Alberta Blue Cross Pharmacy Benefact - March 2020
North and West Coast Regions
Download PDF version here
British Columbia
Pharmacists may provide virtual telephone counselling
Pharmacists may not conduct virtual medication reviews
Virtual care delivered by pharmacists is not reimbursed by the provincial drug benefit program
Resources:
Yukon
Insufficient information available regarding virtual care provision by pharmacists.
Northwest Territories
Insufficient information available regarding virtual care provision by pharmacists.
Nunavut
Insufficient information available regarding virtual care provision by pharmacists.
Graphics: Ashrin Jan
Editors: Rui Su
Disclaimer: The contents of this blog is to be used for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace official guidelines. As information is constantly changing; ensure to check the appropriate organization(s) for the most up-to-date guidelines. This document is recent as of June 23, 2020; and will continually be updated as new guidelines come out.
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