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1. OPA/DIRC News
Please refer to the Careers section for employment opportunities.

Methadone treatment in special populations: Adolescents
This live webinar will review the use of methadone in the treatment of addictions in adolescents. Presented by Dr. Sharon Cirone, a methadone practitioner, this program will examine potential issues facing this group of patients, such as lack of evidence-based guidelines and parental consent. This program will also review tools and resources available for assisting youth with addictions.

Webinar dates: December 5, December 8 and December 12

Webinar times: 7 - 8:30 p.m. (all dates)

This complimentary program is made available through funding from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.

Please note that this webinar does not replace the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health workshop or other mandatory and approved courses required by the Ontario College of Pharmacists.

Live programs 2011, Toronto (unless otherwise specified)
Visit http://www.opatoday.com for registration information.

Methadone Program (complimentary): November 19
The Ontario College of Pharmacists (OCP) has recognized OPA’s live, one-day methadone education as an approved training course for methadone dispensing pharmacists as part of their training update. Updates are required at minimum every five years, as indicated in the College’s methadone dispensing policy.

The complimentary program is presented by methadone practitioners and includes topics such as de-stigmatizing methadone maintenance therapy, communicating discreet and sensitive topics and the pharmacist’s role in providing care to patients on methadone or other addiction management agents. Tools and reference materials for pharmacists are included.

The program, funded by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, does not replace the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health’s Opioid Dependence Treatment Course for pharmacists and designated managers who are beginning a methadone practice.

Psoriasis Care Certificate Program for Pharmacists (complimentary): December 3 (Vancouver)
Psoriasis is a chronic condition that affects one to three percent of Canadians. Patients have described it as a health burden that is comparable in magnitude to that of cancer, depression, diabetes and heart disease. Pharmacists in primary care practices have many opportunities to optimize the care of those with this condition. Thanks to an unrestricted educational grant from Leo Pharma Inc., OPA is providing pharmacists with an opportunity to gain valuable insight about the challenges and concerns facing people living with psoriasis that will lead to impactful interventions in the care of patients with this condition. This is a blended program consisting of both web-based and live components. Pharmacists will become familiar with disease recognition, pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic management, trigger education and the assessment of quality of life measures.

Injection and Immunization Certificate Program: November 20 - SOLD OUT
This program is part of a comprehensive two-part series designed to support pharmacists in the provision of injections for the purposes of education, demonstration and, eventually immunization once the regulations are in place. This blended program consists of live and web based components that will prepare pharmacists to eventually provide routine vaccinations and other injections. Prior to being able to deliver these services, pharmacists should also complete CPR/first aid training.

The live program will deliver all of the technical, operational and procedural elements associated with injection, and will include information ranging from the supplies needed, and an overview on how to deal with emergency situations. Participants will benefit from didactic lectures and practical training facilitated by trained healthcare professionals. To receive the certificate of completion for this program, participants will also be required to complete an online component.

Due to the nature of this program, space is limited to 60 delegates so register now to guarantee your spot.

To add your name to the waiting list for 2012 sessions in Toronto, Ottawa, London, Windsor and Sudbury (dates to be determined), please email Stefani Margulies at smargulies@opatoday.com.

Certified Geriatric Pharmacist Preparation Course: November 25-27
This six-day course prepares pharmacists to write the US Certified Geriatric Pharmacist exam and become credentialed as a Certified Geriatric Pharmacist (CGP). Updates on over 20 disease states common to geriatric care are presented by pharmacy experts, many of whom have their CGP credentials. Whether they work in a community pharmacy, hospital, family health team or long-term care setting, pharmacists often face the complexities of medication management in elderly patients. This course will benefit anyone wishing to advance their skills and knowledge of geriatric care.

Psychiatry Certificate Program: December 2-4
This three-day program will provide pharmacists with a selection of key topics in mental wellness to enhance their skills, knowledge, and understanding of the issues that pharmacists face in the management of mental illness. Topics will include overviews of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, adherence, and therapeutic challenges, as well as a special topic on mental illness in children.

Nutrition for Pharmacists: December 10
This one-day CCCEP-accredited program will provide an overview of common issues as it relates to nutrition choices in disease and medication management. Some of the areas of discussion will include: carbohydrate counting for diabetes management, label reading, good and bad fats, drug-nutrient interactions, healthy eating for weight management, management of food intolerances/allergies and key information on vitamins and nutrients from food.

Online Certificate Programs
Available at www.pharmacisteducation.ca

Pain and Palliative Care Program
This CCCEP-approved program focuses on the management of chronic pain and palliative care. Originally delivered live, the program’s recorded content has been reviewed and updated by an expert faculty to enable pharmacists to access the information through a convenient web-based format. The program consists of 15 modules on various topics related to pain management and palliative care.

Diabetes Level 1 Certificate Program
This CCCEP-approved program provides pharmacists with a comprehensive overview of current diabetes management in Canada. The program is taught by a multidisciplinary team of clinical experts and consists of 11 modules, based on the Canadian Diabetes Association’s latest clinical practice guidelines.

Complimentary Online Programs
Available at www.pharmacisteducation.ca

Methadone Education Program
These online modules are designed to provide pharmacists with tools to effectively manage their patients on methadone maintenance therapy. The program was created following recommendations from the Methadone Task Force (2006) for a methadone mentorship program for pharmacists. These nine complimentary sessions are being provided to pharmacists with funding from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. Please note that this program does not replace the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) workshop or approved courses required by the Ontario College of Pharmacists.

Vitamin D in Osteoporosis
A review of the sources of vitamin D, vitamin D insufficiency in Canada, benefits and current recommendations for vitamin D supplementation are provided.

Smoking Cessation
This program discusses a current approach to smoking cessation that takes into account patients’ readiness for intervention, pharmacists’ availability, and currently available resources and tools to optimize the pharmacist-patient encounter. This complimentary module was made possible through an unrestricted educational grant from Pfizer Canada Inc.

Ulcerative Colitis
This 90-minute session provides pharmacists with a comprehensive overview of the current management of ulcerative colitis. Pharmacists will learn how to recognize common symptoms that may lead to early physician evaluation and diagnosis. This complimentary program was made possible through an unrestricted educational grant from Warner Chilcott Inc.

Practical Management of Cough and Cold
Both non-pharmacological and pharmacological treatment options for cough and cold are reviewed in this one-hour session, with a focus on special populations. The program will also introduce participants to tools and resources to assist in patient assessment, product recommendation, monitoring and follow-up. This complimentary module was made possible through an unrestricted educational grant from Procter & Gamble Inc.

HealthForceOntario's Allied Health Professional Development Fund will be offered again in 2011-12. The application form is available from their website at www.ahpdf.ca.

4. Advisories and Adverse Reactions
Click on the title for access to the advisory.

Health Canada Warnings and Advisories

Advisories, Warnings and Recalls for Health Professionals

Pradax (dabigatran etexilate) and Plavix (clopidogrel bisulfate) - Risk of Potential Patient Harm Associated with Brand Name Confusion

Advisories, Warnings and Recalls for the Public

Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

2011 Safety Alerts for Human Medical Products

FDA Drug Safety Communication: Review update of fenofibric acid and the ACCORD Lipid trial

5. Clinical Practice Guidelines
Click on the title for access to the guideline.

From the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
Buprenorphine/Naloxone for opioid dependence

From the Public Health Agency of Canada
Canadian Communicable Disease Report: Statement on Seasonal Influenza Vaccine for 2011–2012

From the National Guideline Clearinghouse
Evidence-based guideline: treatment of painful diabetic neuropathy

6. Online Publications
Click on the title for access to the article or abstract.

This is an exciting time for pharmacists in Ontario. The need for drug information is more than ever now as pharmacists utilize their skills and expertise to support expanded scope of practice and new patient care initiatives.

Reporting to the Senior Manager, Drug Information, you will use your professional designation and experience in a variety of activities to support pharmacists and promote wellness for patients. As a DI pharmacist you will provide timely and effective responses to drug information requests from a variety of subscribers. You may be called upon to prepare publications and participate in research and education projects.

You are an effective verbal and written communicator. Knowledge of the healthcare system in Ontario is an asset, along with an understanding of the role of pharmacists in healthcare delivery. The working hours for pharmacists include some evenings and weekends. Ideally you have community- and/or hospital-based experience. Bilingualism, drug information experience and hospital residency are assets.

We offer a friendly working environment, along with competitive compensation package including education support, professional development days and a broad benefit package.

Part-time staff are required to make a commitment to work a pre-determined schedule which includes weekends and evenings

Interested candidates are invited to send a resume to hr@opatoday.com or fax 416-441-0791 (Attn: Human Resources). No phone calls please. Only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

The education department at OPA has an increased need for speakers, facilitators, and expert reviewers from across Canada for our growing number of educational programs. If you are interested in any of these roles, please click here to add your name to OPA's Faculty Registry. Please direct any inquiries to Carolyn Singleton at csingleton@dirc.ca.

Why DIRC?
Through our timely, unbiased, and evidence-based drug information, we aim to help you:
• Increase efficiency in your day-to-day work
• Improve your patient relationships
• Build your reputation with physicians and other healthcare professionals

Value for your subscription
As a DIRC subscriber, you have access to:
• Hundreds of DIRC publications on the DIRC website
• Current information from top medical journals and databases
• A peer with whom you can dialogue to resolve your drug-related queries

To subscribe, contact Tina Starzenski at tstarzenski@dirc.ca or 1-800-268-8058 ext. 2252 for more information.