Statement No. 807 - Dispensing Physicians

DATE OF LAST REVISION/PUBLICATION – 2005
PLANNED REVIEW DATE – 2009
The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba and The Manitoba Pharmaceutical Association (Joint Statement)

Dispensing of medications should be under the supervision and control of a licensed pharmacist who will conduct utilization reviews and enter prescription information into the Drug Programs Information Network (DPIN) system. There may be occasions where pharmacist services are not available. In these circumstances, the following options may be considered at the discretion of the Dispensing Physicians’ Committee:

1.	Pre-packaged medications prepared by a pharmacist and supplied to the physician for direct supply to patients. After the medication is supplied directly to the patient by the physician, a prescription for the medication is sent to the pharmacist for utilization review and DPIN entry.
2.	Prescriptions are written by physicians, then forwarded (e.g. fax) to a pharmacy for utilization review, DPIN entry, preparation and shipment for distribution:

	(a)	From the physician’s medical office;
	(b)	From a location approved by the Manitoba Pharmaceutical Association; or
	(c)	Delivered directly to the patient.

A fee may be charged by the pharmacist and included in the price of the medication, but the “prescribing” physician will not charge an additional fee or receive a financial benefit from the transaction, supply or distribution beyond the permitted annual stipend.

The dispensing physician must have a working relationship with a pharmacist. The benefits of coordinating medication distribution processes through a pharmacy include:

1.	All prescription informatin is entered into the DPIN system at the pharmacy. Support of quality assurance for management of distribution Review of prescribing practices by individual care providers Tracking and analysis of usage by patients
2.	Medication is prepackaged by the pharmacist to ensure proper packaging and labeling.
3.	Physicians can access drug information and updates through the pharmacist.

Physicians and Pharmacists who participate in this process may only do so with written approval from the appropriate licensing authority, The College of Physicians & Surgeons of Manitoba, or the Manitoba Pharmaceutical Association and through The Dispensing Physicians’ Committee.

* Where the document references physicians, it is intended to be reworded to read “physicians and Registered Nurses – Extended Practice” when empowered by legislation.

First Print PR/04-93
Revision MPPP/03-99
2nd Revision Council/06-05

Application Process for Dispensing Physicians

A statement is a formal position of the College with which members shall comply.