What is the objective of this petition?  

The Alberta College of Pharmacy (ACP) has proposed a ban on the administration of injections for aesthetic purposes. However, the ACP did not maintain transparency in their proposal process and failed to provide a rationale for this change.  The primary purpose of this petition is to safeguard the pharmacy profession in Alberta. We are requesting the Alberta College of Pharmacy (ACP) to rescind section 7.7.3(i). Moreover, we urge the ACP to invest greater effort in formulating a comprehensive framework that supports aesthetic pharmacy practices both within and beyond licensed pharmacies. This necessitates a willingness on the part of the ACP to embrace openness, learning, and professional development.

Who will this unjust ban affect?  

The inclusion of section 7.7.3(i) in the DRAFT Standards of Practice for Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians (SPPPT) has implications for a wide array of stakeholders.

• Pharmacists, who have adopted innovative practices like aesthetic injections, along with their primary services, as part of their service provision, are directly impacted.
• Concurrently, patients, who have reaped the benefits of the convenience and accessibility of these services, will also be affected. The proposed ban may diminish the affordability and accessibility of aesthetic services for Albertans.
• Furthermore, such limitations could potentially undermine public trust in pharmacists' abilities and skills, as it could depict them as less proficient than their healthcare peers. The lack of transparency and justification from the ACP further exacerbates these concerns.
• This represents a precarious situation. It is a unique incident where the ACP has taken the easier route of completely banning a novel area of practice, which sets a worrying precedent. This could expand to include future practices in the pharmacy profession.

Why is it time to act now?

The ACP has opened the consultation for feedback, and it is essential that we collectively voice our concerns and offer a robust defense of our profession and the patients we serve. If we don't speak up now, we may find ourselves in a profession that is less innovative and less responsive to patient needs. Let's come together and advocate for our right to continue expanding our skills, diversifying our services, and delivering comprehensive care to our patients. It's time to stand up for the future of pharmacy practice in Alberta.