OPA Educational Programs

OPA's Drug Information and Research Centre (DIRC) is the premier provider of live continuing education (CE) programs for pharmacists in Canada.  DIRC is widely recognized for its high-quality, evidence-based educational programs.  It is one of the few organizations that has been granted Accredited Provider status by the Canadian Council on Continuing Education in Pharmacy (CCCEP)¹.

DIRC's quality management system is independently audited and meets the strict standards of the International Standards Organization (ISO).  DIRC's ISO 9001:2008 registration reflects its commitment to quality programs.  These programs provide pharmacists with the opportunity to enhance their knowledge and skills in specific clinical areas and promote the recognition of pharmacists as healthcare providers who have advanced training.

Certificate and Credentialing Programs

Since 2000, DIRC has developed and delivered more than 50 live, in-depth, CCCEP-accredited CE programs, providing training to thousands of pharmacists and other health professionals on topics such as geriatric care, diabetes, cardiovascular health, pain and palliative management, and women's health.  The programs vary from one-day to extensive six-day courses.  Each program serves a unique need for practicing healthcare professionals.  Satisfaction with DIRC's CE events is exemplary.  Over 94 per cent of participants report that DIRC's programs met their learning needs and 92 per cent would attend a similar program on another topic.

With the growing popularity of e-learning strategies, DIRC has expanded its educational offerings to include web-based education such as online certificate programs, blended programs (which include online and live components), and webinars in order to reach pharmacists across the province and country.

DIRC also plans, manages, and delivers the educational program for the Ontario Pharmacists' Association's Annual General Conference, a three-day event which attracts hundreds of pharmacists each year.

For more information on programs and registration please visit the Education section of the Ontario Pharmacists' Association website, email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

If you would like to work with the OPA to bring a session or program to your area, please contact Margaret Cheung, Manager, Education at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Allied Health Professional Development Fund - The Allied Health Professional Development Fund has been made available for the 2012–2013 year.

The Allied Health Professional Development Fund (AHPDF) is a program supported by the Ontario government as part of HealthForceOntario. Through this program, health care professionals are eligible to receive funding for professional development activities including Continuing Education courses that are clinically relevant to their practice and improve their knowledge or leadership skills.

Visit www.ahpdf.ca for the current application form and application guide. 

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¹CCCEP Approved Provider is the public recognition afforded to organizations providing continuing pharmacy education that is judged to meet standards through initial and subsequent periodic evaluations; the CCCEP accreditation process for providers of continuing pharmacy education is designed to assure pharmacists, pharmacy regulatory authorities, and others of the quality of continuing education programs.