Pharmacist Awareness Month 2014 – News Release Template
Pharmacists Reach Out To Canadians During Pharmacist Awareness Month
The pharmacist is in!
CITY, date — March 2014 is Pharmacist Awareness Month, when pharmacists across the country reach out to
make Canadians aware of the many services they offer to improve their patients’ health.
This year’s theme, The pharmacist is in, highlights the fact that pharmacists are the most accessible health care
provider in Canada. They are taking on expanded roles in every province in Canada, making them an even more
valuable member of the health care team.
A 2012 survey by Environics Research Group showed that while many Canadians are willing to see pharmacists for
expanded services, they simply aren’t aware of the full range of issues they can discuss with their pharmacist. The
survey of over 1500 adults showed that Canadians report high levels of interaction and satisfaction with
pharmacists’ services, and a full 80% of respondents indicated that they’ve received counselling or advice from a
pharmacist. About half of respondents said that they would see a pharmacist for a flu shot or other vaccination,
and over 75% said that they would be comfortable going to a pharmacist to order and interpret lab tests.
“We celebrate Pharmacist Awareness Month to make sure that Canadians know that their pharmacists are there
to help, in more ways than they know,” says X. “There are many health-related issues that pharmacists can work
through with patients, without appointments or wait times.” Most Canadians know that pharmacists are the most
equipped health care provider to help understand the best use of medications. They can help patients learn how to
take medications properly, suggest alternate medications to avoid dangerous interactions and explain potential
side effects. For Canadians on multiple medications, most pharmacists can conduct a complete medication review
to ensure they’re getting the most from their medications.
But many Canadians don’t know that pharmacists across the country can offer even more than medication
expertise and advice. They have the education, knowledge, experience and skills to offer a very wide variety of
health care services. Depending on province, pharmacists now have the ability to help manage chronic diseases
(such as diabetes and high blood pressure), help people quit smoking and even give flu shots and other
vaccinations.
Pharmacists are also a more cost-effective solution to Canada’s rising health care expenditures. According to the
Canadian Society for Hospital Pharmacists, analyses from a variety of studies have shown that for every $1 spent
on a pharmacist’s services, between $6-$25 in hospital costs were saved or avoided.
“Pharmacists can help alleviate backups and delays in the health care system. Your pharmacy is open longer hours
and patients don’t require an appointment to talk to a knowledgeable professional about a wide variety of health
concerns,” says X. “They are a key member of the health care team and can make a huge difference in the lives of
their patients.”
During Pharmacist Awareness Month 2014, ask your pharmacist how you can work together to make sure you’re
as healthy as can be. Our role is changing to help you better manage your health. Talk to us!
-30For more information, please contact:
INSERT YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION HERE
Pharmacist Awareness Month 2014 – News Release Template
For your convenience, we have provided suggestions that could replace the highlighted sentence in the news
release template above with details appropriate for your province.
In British Columbia, pharmacists can renew and adapt prescriptions, administer injections like the flu shot, provide
smoking cessation counselling and make therapeutic substitutions.
In Alberta, pharmacists can prescribe for some situations, including treating minor ailments, adjusting dosage,
monitoring and refilling prescriptions. They can also order and interpret lab tests, administer injections and make
therapeutic substitutions.
In Saskatchewan, pharmacists can renew and adapt prescriptions, initiate prescriptions, and make therapeutic
substitutions.
In Manitoba, pharmacists with special training can prescribe for some situations, including treating minor ailments,
adjusting dosage, monitoring and refilling prescriptions. They can also order and interpret lab tests, and administer
injections.
In Ontario, pharmacists can administer injections like the flu shot, renew, change and adapt prescriptions as well
as can prescribe specified drug products to help patients quit smoking.
In Quebec, pharmacists can give you important instructions on how to take your medications, tell you what your
medications are used for and what type of side effects you may experience. They can also provide advice for many
health issues and give tips on how to prevent disease with healthy life choices.
In New Brunswick, pharmacists can administer injections like the flu shot, order and interpret lab tests, renew,
change and adapt prescriptions and make therapeutic substitutions.
In Nova Scotia, pharmacists can prescribe for some situations, including treating minor ailments, adjusting dosage,
monitoring and refilling prescriptions. They can also order and interpret lab tests, administer injections and make
therapeutic substitutions.
In Prince Edward Island, pharmacists can renew prescriptions, change drug dosages and make therapeutic
substitutions on prescriptions.
In Newfoundland and Labrador, pharmacists can renew, change and adapt prescriptions as well as provide
therapeutic substitutions for prescriptions.
In the Northwest Territories, pharmacists can renew prescriptions.
In the Yukon, pharmacists can give you important instructions on how to take your medications, tell you what your
medications are used for and what type of side effects you may experience. They can also provide advice for many
health issues and give tips on how to prevent disease with healthy life choices.
In Nunavut, pharmacists can give you important instructions on how to take your medications, tell you what your
medications are used for and what type of side effects you may experience. They can also provide advice for many
health issues and give tips on how to prevent disease with healthy life choices.