“Regulation” can be tough to get people excited about (until something goes wrong), but it deserves our attention (and maybe even a little InstaFame). Something shouldn’t have to go wrong before we take notice and get involved. It may seem subtle, but the regulation we are surrounded with makes a significant difference in our everyday lives. And changing regulation helps shape our future in the direction we want to go.
When regulation is too prescriptive, inflexible or overly strict in comparison to the risk, it can inhibit innovation and advancements that benefit the public. When regulation is overly permissive or not reflective of current realities, it becomes an inadequate tool to protect the public from safety risks.
Getting it right, or the “Right Touch”, isn’t easy. You have to identify all the possible risks, then develop regulations that are proportionate to those risks. You need to set the rules, add the safety checks, all without stifling innovation that can benefit the public.
For this to work, you need input – and lots of it. You need as many diverse opinions and perspectives as possible. You need to learn what’s working, and what’s not, and what people imagine for the future.
That’s why I need your help. I need to hear from you.
As part of developing its next strategic plan, the College of Pharmacists of British Columbia is seeking input on how they expect pharmacy care to evolve to meet the future needs of British Columbians. (Full disclosure, I work for the College, leading their communications and engagement.)
We don’t just want to hear from pharmacists. We need to hear from all kinds of British Columbians.
Some of our questions might surprise you. For instance, how might blockchain, AI and machine learning impact pharmacy practice in the future? Or, how might the future of identify management and personal information security evolve?
As our awareness as a society grows, are patients receiving respectul care? Are our ethical standards effective in relation to #MeToo, Reconciliation, and so many other stigmas that all detract from safe and effective care?
We need to hear from you if we are going to have regulations in the future that enable and protect.
With this in mind, I hope you can take a few minutes to share your insight and thoughts on these and other questions.
The survey is available here: surveymonkey.com/r/bcpharmacy
And is open until March 31, 2019.
Your input will be used to develop and refine initiatives in the College of Pharmacists’ upcoming Strategic Plan, and to help shape the future of regulation for pharmacy care.
You can learn more about the College of Pharmacists of BC’s role in protecting the public as the regulator for pharmacy practice at bcpharmacists.org/who-we-are.