Ever wonder what exactly the National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities (NAPRA) does, and who its members are? Does NAPRA regulate the practice of pharmacy in Canada? What is NAPRA’s role in the drug scheduling process? We are pleased to answer these questions and more in this short introductory presentation to NAPRA highlighting the respective roles of NAPRA and the pharmacy regulatory authorities (PRAs), NAPRA’s programs and services to its members, and its impact on pharmacy practice in Canada.

NAPRA is the alliance of the provincial and territorial PRAs across Canada as well as the Canadian Forces Health Services. Its members – the PRAs – regulate the practice of pharmacy in their respective jurisdictions in Canada. Their primary mandate is to protect and serve the public interest.

As the national alliance for the PRAs, NAPRA provides a platform for its members to discuss and take a national approach in addressing common issues in the practice of pharmacy in Canada, including by:

• Developing national model documents (e.g., standards, competencies) for its members to use as they wish in their own jurisdictions.
• Collaborating with federal and other national and international organizations on behalf of all PRAs.
• Administering programs such as the National Drug Schedules and Pharmacists’ Gateway Canada on behalf of its members.

Read on for more information on NAPRA.