Pharmacopeia Continuing Education Resources

The Association of Ontario Midwives has assembled a list of practical learning resources for midwives related to pharmacology. These resources have not been developed or critically appraised by the AOM. Each resource has been developed by external experts; midwives should be aware they may not be reflective of Ontario's standards of practice. Furthermore, some courses may include information about prescribing medications or performing controlled acts that are not within the Ontario midwifery scope of practice per provincial regulations. It is each midwife's responsibility to know their scope of practice and to work within it. Some midwives may also provide expanded services under medical directives in collaborative models; the learning materials listed below may address some of these expanded services but it is up to the individual to determine if additional education is required.

Some educational opportunities may be offered by pharmaceutical companies. Midwives may benefit from undertaking training with them, for example for IUD insertions. However, they should remain aware of the potential bias of corporate promoters and trainers.

Analgesics

Resource Name

Source 

Type 

Cost

Opioids and Benzodiazepines: Safe Prescribing for Midwives 

University of British Columbia Continuing Professional Development 

eLearning
(10-15  hours) 

$199
Guideline for Administration of Fentanyl for Pain Relief in Labour.  Reproductive Care Program of Nova Scotia Guideline (PDF) Free
Pharmacological Pain Management Options in Labour Perinatal Services BC Clinical care topic (webpage) Free 

 

Antiemetics & proton pump inhibitors

Resource Name

Source 

Type 

Cost

Understanding Nausea and Vomiting in Pregnancy and Hyperemesis Gravidarum

Pharmaceutical Society of Australia

eLearning
(1 hour) 

Free (free account required to access)

Back to the Future: A Review of PPIs Medical Academic Webinar recording (video) Free
Ondansetron use during pregnancy: Utilization and adverse outcomes Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR): Drug Safety and Effectiveness Network Study Abstract/review (PDF) Free - open access
Prochlorperazine Pharmacology - RLP Podcast Real Life Pharmacology Podcast Podcast (audio recording) Free
Pharmacology - Antiemetics Armando Hasudungan Youtube Channel Video (15 min 52 sec) Free

Antimicrobials

Resource Name

Source 

Type 

Cost

Anti-Infectives Checklist: 5 Ds of Antimicrobial Stewardship Vancouver Coastal Health ASPIRES Checklist (PDF) Free

 Antibiotic sensitivity overview

Wellington ICU Drug Manual, adapted by Health New Zealand

Chart (PDF)

Free
Beta-lactam antibiotic cross-allergy chart & Antibiotic cross-allergy chart Interior Health Authority, adapted by Vancouver Coastal Health ASPIRES Chart (PDF) Free

Antifungal Drug Class Review

Fluoroquinolone Drug Class Review

Macrolide Drug Class Review

Principles of Antimicrobials

Penicillin Drug Class Review

Tetracycline Drug Class Review

myCME Website

eLearning videos, (time to complete 30 minutes each)

Available until June 30, 2026

Free

(free account required to access)

Sexually Transmitted and Blood Borne Infections (STBBI): Guides for Health Professionals  Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) Clinical guides (webpage) Free
Midwifery STI Screening & Treatment Course University of British Columbia Continuing Professional Development  eLearning (2.5 hours) $199

 

Contraception

Resource Name

Source

Type

Cost

Contraception Care Part I (Part II is a practicum) McMaster University, Midwifery Continuing Education

Online course (asynchronous learning)
 

$621.50
Midwifery Hormonal Contraception Course University of British Columbia. Continuing Professional Development Online course (self-paced, 8 lessons, 2.5 hours) $249.00
Contraception: It’s a Plan The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC) Online course (3 hours) $300 (non-member); $150 (member)
Intrauterine Contraception (IUC) Insertion Preceptorship The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC) Online course (4 modules) with optional clinical preceptorship (subject to availability) $500 (non-member); $250 (member)
Extended Release Subdermal Implant: The essentials The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC) Online course (4 hours) $400 (non-member); $200 (member)
LARC Insertion & Removal Video Series (LARC: Long acting reversible contraceptive. Videos include IUDs and implants) Innovating Education in Reproductive Health Online recorded courses (series of videos) Free
Contraception Booklet The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC) Information booklet for clients and providers (PDF) Free
Contraception Toolkit for Pharmacists Canadian Pharmacists Association (CPA) Online toolkit (webpage) Free
Family Planning and Contraception American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP)  Resource collection (webpage) Free

 

Early pregnancy loss and abortion medication

Resource Name

Source

Type

Cost

Medication Abortion Training for Primary Care Providers National Abortion Federation (NAF) Canada eLearning (6 asynchronous modules, 30-60 minutes per module. One 1-hour live virtual session) $50 (non-physician clinician); $25 (student)
Medical Abortion Training Program 2.0 The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC) Online course (4 hours) $400 (non-member); $200 (member)

Early Pregnancy Loss - Medication Management & Medication Abortion

Innovating Education in Reproductive Health Online recorded courses (videos) Free
Abortion Pill Training Training in Early Abortion for Comprehensive Healthcare (TEACH) Online course - video based (website; 1 hour) Free
Abortion Toolkit for Pharmacists Canadian Pharmacists Association (CPA)

Online toolkit (webpage)

Free

 

Immunization

Resource Name

Source

Type

Cost

Education Program for Immunization Competencies (EPIC) - 4th edition Canadian Pediatric Society

eLearning (12 online modules)
 

$299
Midwifery Immunization Communication (available in French and English) University of British Columbia Continuing Professional Development  eLearning (6 lessons, 1 hour) Free
Vaccination in Pregnancy The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC) Online course (4 hours) $400 (non-member); $200 (member)
Ontario’s Publicly Funded Immunization Schedule and Guide Ontario Health Guide (PDF) Free
Canadian Immunization Guide Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) Guide (webpage) Free
National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI): Statements and publications PHAC/NACI Statements and publications (webpage) Free

Adverse Event Following Immunization Reporting for Health Care Providers in Ontario

Public Health Ontario Guide (includes Q&A, table) (PDF)  Free
National Vaccine Catalogue PHAC Online catalogue (webpage) Free

 

Induction and augmentation medication

Resource Name

Source

Type

Cost

Midwifery Induction and Augmentation of Labour University of British Columbia Continuing Professional Development  eLearning (3-4 hours) $99
Induction of Labour: Putting Safety First The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC) Online course (4 hours) $400 (non-member); $200 (member)
Safe Administration of Oxytocin Provincial Council for Maternal and Child Health (PCMCH) Guide (PDF) Free

 

 

Please note: course availability and pricing subject to change without notice.