My name is Stephanie Perron, and I am entering my third year as a PharmD student at the University of Ottawa. This summer, I had the privilege of working within the Professional and Regulatory Affairs (P&R) department of the National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities (NAPRA). During this time, I have met many inspiring professionals and gained a deeper understanding of pharmacy regulation in Canada.

What did your daily workday consist of?

My days began with P&R team meetings, which provided a great opportunity to ask questions, check in on priorities, and stay motivated in a virtual work environment. My tasks varied from day to day as new questions arose and projects progressed. This and a variety of different meetings brought fresh challenges and kept the experience engaging throughout the summer.

What tasks and projects did you work on?

I supported the National Drug Schedules (NDS) program in preparation for the June 2025 National Drug Scheduling Advisory Committee (NDSAC) meeting. I helped compile information prior to the meeting and attended the session, gaining valuable insight into the drug scheduling application process.

My biggest project this summer was contributing to the update of NAPRA’s model documents for pharmacy regulatory authorities (PRAs) on non-sterile and sterile compounding standards. For this initiative, I participated in working group and weekly check-in meetings, I mapped the current documents to new drafts as they were finalized to help with the review process, and I attended the Canadian Society of Healthcare-Systems Pharmacy conference presentation where this update was showcased.

I frequently helped with research and collected data to help respond to queries from Health Canada and other interested parties. Between working on my major tasks, I also attended NAPRA Information-sharing Group meetings and PRA Roundtables where I observed how the PRAs collaborate to address shared challenges. Additionally, I joined meetings hosted by other organizations on hot topics in the pharmacy world such as labour mobility, drug shortages, and online pharmacies. I concluded my work term by presenting my experience with NAPRA during a student-exchange session with the Canadian Pharmacists Association.

What skills have you developed and what have you learned during your time at NAPRA?

This summer, I gained stronger analytical skills, strengthened my ability to collaborate, and further deepened my sense of professionalism. I learned a great deal through my varied experiences at NAPRA, and I will definitely carry these lessons with me throughout my career.

I acquired a much clearer understanding of NAPRA’s true value. It provides a vital forum for exchanging ideas and many important resources and services to help the PRAs ensure the quality of pharmacy care in Canada. NAPRA also facilitates national dialogue on pharmacy practice and regulatory issues and acts as a strong central point of contact for engagement with national and international organizations. All this makes NAPRA highly beneficial to its Member organizations.

Moreover, I gained a new perspective on Canada and the differences in pharmacy regulation between all the provinces and territories. This experience allowed me to zoom out and appreciate the contrasting jurisdictional landscapes across our vast country.

What were your favourite parts of the position?

I loved working with such a wonderful and welcoming team. I enjoyed interacting with inspiring professionals at various meetings and learning about so many aspects of pharmacy regulation. My favourite experience was attending the NDSAC meeting in person this June. I felt incredibly grateful for the unique opportunity to witness the behind-the-scenes process of an important decision such as the scheduling of a non-prescription drug.