Founded in 1995, the National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities (NAPRA) is the alliance of Canada’s pharmacy regulators – i.e., the 13 provincial and territorial pharmacy regulatory authorities (PRAs) across the country as well as the Canadian Forces Health Services. NAPRA’s Members regulate the practice of pharmacy in their respective jurisdictions in Canada, and their primary mandate is to protect and serve the public interest. NAPRA facilitates collaboration and national approaches among its Members as they address common issues in the practice of pharmacy in Canada.
MISSION STATEMENT
National leadership in the pursuit of pharmacy regulatory excellence
VISION STATEMENT
Pharmacy regulatory excellence
ORGANIZATIONAL VALUES
- Leadership. We provide strong, innovative, and proactive leadership in the regulation of pharmacy practice.
- Excellence. We commit to quality in all of our activities to support serving the public interest.
- Integrity. We act with integrity, honesty, and in an ethical manner with each other, with our partners, and with all other interested parties.
- Respect. We recognize, consider, and value the contributions and differences of others, and treat everyone respectfully. We resolve issues openly and constructively.
- Transparency. We communicate our purpose and objectives clearly. We strive for openness in what we do and the decisions we take.
- Collaboration. We value collaboration within NAPRA, with our partners, and with all other interested parties. We seek to build productive relationships at all levels.
Role of NAPRA vs Role of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities
It is important to note that NAPRA is NOT a regulatory authority itself and has no authority over its Members (i.e., the PRAs across Canada), pharmacies, or pharmacy professionals. NAPRA work is a model for the PRAs to use, and the PRAs will implement it differently to meet their needs. Therefore, it is the PRAs that are responsible for setting jurisdictional requirements and for monitoring compliance, and not NAPRA.
This short introductory presentation to NAPRA highlights how NAPRA supports its Members across Canada.
NAPRA’s Value to Members
NAPRA’s Members – i.e., the PRAs – share a goal of effective, socially relevant pharmacy regulation to protect the health and well-being of the people living in Canada. NAPRA acts as a focal point for the dynamic voices of Canada’s pharmacy regulators at the national level.
NAPRA delivers value to its Members by:
- Offering Members a range of relevant programs, services, and resources.
- Informing policy and strategy development.
- Leading engagement with national and international peers, interested parties, and policymakers.
- Providing context and leadership on pharmacy and regulatory directions.
NAPRA Services and Programs for Members
NAPRA services and programs in support of its Member organizations include:
- Facilitating national dialogue on pharmacy practice and pharmacy regulatory issues in Canada.
- Engaging with various interested parties at the federal, national, pan-Canadian, and international levels on behalf of all Canadian PRAs.
- Developing key national model documents (e.g., standards, competencies) for the PRAs to use as desired in their own jurisdictions.
- Managing centrally the National Drug Schedules Program and Pharmacists’ Gateway Canada for International Pharmacists on behalf of its Members.
LIST OF PROVINCIAL AND TERRITORIAL PRAs IN CANADA & CONTACT INFORMATION
NAPRA Annual Reports
NAPRA annual reports, from 2019 to the present, are available here.
NAPRA Governance
NAPRA’s Board of Directors is comprised of 17 members. This includes all the provincial and territorial PRAs in Canada, as well as the Canadian Forces Health Services, representing their respective jurisdictions.
Board of Directors
| Director | Pharmacy Regulatory Authority |
|---|---|
| Brad Willsey | Alberta College of Pharmacy |
| Randy Tuff | Canadian Forces Health Services |
| Suzanne Solven | College of Pharmacists of British Columbia |
| Kevin Hamilton (Chair) | College of Pharmacists of Manitoba |
| Noelle Patten | College of Pharmacy of Newfoundland and Labrador |
| Barbara Harvey | Government of Nunavut – Department of Health |
| Heather Hannah | Government of the Northwest Territories – Department of Health and Social Services – Professional Licensing Office |
| Steph Connolly | Government of Yukon – Community Services – Professional Licensing and Regulatory Affairs |
| Lindsay Mell | New Brunswick College of Pharmacists |
| Bev Zwicker | Nova Scotia Pharmacy Regulator |
| Jay O’Neill | Ontario College of Pharmacists |
| Patrick Boudreault | Ordre des pharmaciens du Québec |
| Michelle Wyand (Past Chair) | Prince Edward Island College of Pharmacy |
| Jeana Wendel | Saskatchewan College of Pharmacy Professionals |
| Christine Thomas | – |
| Debbie Fischer (Vice Chair) | – |
| Robert Solek | – |
| Adele Fifield | NAPRA Chief Executive Officer (ex-officio) |