Pharmacist Awareness Month 2015
Pharmacists: Trusted Care When and Where You Need It
Editorial Template
For most Canadians, whenever a health issue arises, the first point of contact with the health system is their
doctor’s office or the hospital emergency room. For some health problems, that’s needed and appropriate.
However, for many health conditions, there is a more convenient, accessible health provider who can deliver the
same quality care – that being your community pharmacist. Pharmacists are the most accessible health provider in
the country. With over 24,000 pharmacists working in over 9,500 pharmacies across Canada, your community
pharmacist can usually be seen without an appointment, usually within a few minutes, and can provide a greater
range of health services and care than most people are aware.
Many people still tend to see pharmacists as dispensers of medications prescribed by a physician and counsellors
on the proper use of that medication. Although they continue to perform a dispensing and counselling function,
over the past several years, pharmacists across Canada have been empowered to perform a range of additional
services. A quick list of some of the services that pharmacists can now provide includes:
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Pharmacists can renew and extend prescriptions, without the need for revisiting a doctor. They can also
provide emergency prescription refills.
Your community pharmacist can now deliver the annual flu shot – most often without an appointment or
lengthy waits, in most provinces.
In some provinces, pharmacists can deliver smoking cessation programs.
If you are taking multiple medications, pharmacists can conduct a medication review, whereby they analyze
the mix of medications you are taking to ensure there are no unwanted side effects or other unintended
consequences.
In some provinces, pharmacists can treat minor ailments such as diaper rashes, insect bites, headaches, or
muscle strains and sprains.
Some pharmacists have advanced training in caring for patients with diabetes.
If you’re unsure whether your pharmacist provides these or other services, simply ask!
In addition to the being accessible and convenient, pharmacists are very well trained in the services they provide.
As regulated professionals, pharmacists must undergo continuous education in order to keep abreast of current
developments in medication management. This high level of training and continuous education is reflected in the
fact that public opinion polls tell us that pharmacists are among the most trusted professionals in Canada – people
know that their pharmacist is there to provide trusted care when and where they need it.
Approaching your pharmacist as your first line of care for a range of medication needs and chronic conditions has
obvious advantages to you as the patient – greater accessibility, less time to wait, and for most Canadians a
pharmacy is located within their community. But the advantage of pharmacists being able to offer a wide range of
services goes beyond benefits to the patient. By reducing the pressure on hospitals, emergency rooms, and doctor’s
offices, pharmacists are helping to create a more sustainable health care system. With more patients visiting their
pharmacies, capacity is freed up in other health institutions, which also cuts costs to the overall health care system.
The next time you need the services of a health professional, think about your community pharmacist. They have
the knowledge, expertise, and trust to provide the care and service you need for many of your medication and
health needs.
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