Stronger together
Canada’s pharmacy associations work together on key, critical issues affecting the profession in support of strong associations, exceptional pharmacists and healthy Canadians. This new CPJ feature will highlight some of the advancements being made at pharmacy associations across the country.
British Columbia Pharmacy Association (BCPhA) | bcpharmacy.ca
The British Columbia Pharmacy Association (BCPhA) is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Incorporated May 26, 1968, the Association has had 5 decades of being the voice of community pharmacy in British Columbia. As part of the celebration, titled “50 Years: Faces of Pharmacy,” the Association kicked off a campaign that focused on the faces and stories of community pharmacists and how their dedication to the industry has helped to change and guide community pharmacy practice today. To capture the many faces of pharmacy, the BCPhA launched the Faces of Pharmacy Selfie Campaign on Facebook in May running for the month of June. Watch for the rest of 2018, in which the Association continues to showcase the face of BC pharmacy.
Alberta Pharmacists’ Association (RxA) | rxa.ca
Looking for a weekend of learning and networking opportunities? The Trusted Partners in Health fall professional development conference in Calgary on September 28 and 29, 2018, will be a great chance to do just that. The program includes a lineup of topics and speakers that will deliver timely and practical information to aid you in your practice environment. There is also a chance to connect with industry experts at the Pharmacy Exhibit Hall. To find out more about the Trusted Partners in Health professional development conference, visit www.rxa.ca. “I really enjoy coming to this event. It is fast paced and I always take great information away and am inspired to learn more” (event attendee).
Pharmacy Association of Saskatchewan (PAS) | skpharmacists.ca
In early spring, the Pharmacy Association of Saskatchewan (PAS) launched the MLA Outreach Advocacy Campaign, asking members to reach out to their MLAs around the new generic pricing agreement and its effect on pharmacies in Saskatchewan. The campaign was also to lay the groundwork for upcoming negotiations with the provincial government, which began in late April. May kicked off with the 2018 PAS Annual Conference. The theme, “Shared Experience Storytelling for Care,” focused on the personal experiences and stories related to health care. PAS continues to work with our provincial partners on the new conditions for minor ailment prescribing with support and public education.
Pharmacists Manitoba | pharmacistsmb.ca
Pharmacists Manitoba government relations initiative is the most important strategy to ensuring a positive relationship with those who establish policy. Our members told us that government relations should be our focus. As a result, we contracted with Longview Communications and Public Affairs to assist with our communication and navigation among government officials. We have partnered with the College of Pharmacists of Manitoba to host a Community Pharmacy Implementation of Lab Test Ordering working group. We are working constructively with the College of Pharmacy, Dynacare Laboratories and Diagnostic Services Manitoba to define community pharmacy practice and procedures with the goal of enabling this service in 2018.
Ontario Pharmacists Association (OPA) | opatoday.com
The Ontario Pharmacists Association (OPA) was pleased to see the expansion of the Ontario Naloxone Pharmacy Program (ONPP) to include intranasal naloxone spray (INNS), as this allows for increased patient choice in obtaining this potentially life-saving drug. In addition to now funding INNS kits, the ONPP has given pharmacists the ability to provide 2 naloxone kits to an eligible recipient at one time. OPA also applauds the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care for removing the requirement of an Ontario health card to obtain a naloxone kit from a pharmacy in situations where Ontarians do not have or do not wish to provide identification. OPA has long advocated for this change and believes that the removal of this barrier will help to increase access to Ontarians who stand to benefit from these naloxone kits.
Association québécoise des pharmaciens propriétaires (AQPP) | aqpp.qc.ca
The Association québécoise des pharmaciens propriétaires (AQPP) has commissioned the CEFRIO, HEC Montréal, CIRANO and Université de Montréal to perform a study evaluating the frequency, nature and impact of pharmacy consults unrelated to dispensing. The results from the 2 first phases are in and are very positive. The first phase analyzed consult details registered by pharmacists through an online application and follow-up interviews with patients by researchers. The second involved a population-based survey conducted by Leger. Researchers are now focusing on the final phase, assessing interviews with pharmacy staff to qualify factors influencing adoption of technology and the implementation of the project. The AQPP and our research team will communicate findings of the study once the final phase is completed.
New Brunswick Pharmacists Association (NBPA) | nbpharma.ca
New Brunswickers are continuing to turn to their pharmacists to get their flu shots. New Brunswick (NB) pharmacists administered 72,709 publicly funded flu vaccines during the 2017-2018 flu season—a 15% increase over the previous year. Thousands more patients were immunized privately. Patients have embraced the convenience of this pharmacy service over the past 8 years since NB pharmacists received the authority to administer injections. They gave 6000 publicly funded flu vaccines in 2010-2011. Medication reviews under the NB PharmaCheck program are down by about 10% compared to the previous year. NB pharmacists conducted 11,075 med reviews under that program in 2017-2018.
Pharmacy Association of Nova Scotia (PANS) | pans.ns.ca
The Pharmacy Association of Nova Scotia (PANS) has launched a groundbreaking research project called “Prescription to Thrive.” In partnership with AMP Pharmacies Ltd., this community pharmacy-based project seeks to redefine how pharmacies operate to further the provision of professional services to their patients. Through training and mentorship, building capacity through workflow efficiencies and development of a sustainable business plan, the 18-month project will find ways to reduce barriers to the provision of pharmacy services and create opportunities to make pharmacies an even more vital health care resource in their communities. This research project is 1 of 3 research projects currently being conducted by PANS in Nova Scotia.
Prince Edward Island Pharmacists Association (PEIPhA) | peipharm.info
The Prince Edward Island Pharmacists Association (PEIPhA) Annual General Meeting and Conference was held May 5-6, 2018. A highlight of our annual conference is the opportunity to access quality continuing professional education opportunities in our home province, and the 2018 lineup did not disappoint! Pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, students and industry partners were provided with an excellent educational program, focusing on a variety of pertinent topics. Current and emerging issues addressed in our Continuing Education (CE) sessions included nutritional therapy for treating insulin resistance, mifegymiso, medical cannabis, the opioid crisis and the Choosing Wisely initiative. Updates on management of diabetes, atrial fibrillation and influenza in the senior population were provided, as well as best practices tips for pharmacists providing hormonal contraception. The Association is grateful to our presenters and sponsors, to Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH), Canadian Pharmacists Association (CPhA) and Dalhousie Continuing Pharmacy Education (DAL CPE) for their continued contributions to our conferences!
Pharmacists’ Association of Newfoundland and Labrador (PANL) | panl.net
One of the priorities of the Pharmacists’ Association of Newfoundland and Labrador (PANL) is to offer members access to an array of timely continuing education offerings. In May, PANL hosted live CE sessions throughout the province on the topic of emerging technologies in glucose monitoring. And in June, the association facilitated a session with Dr. Deborah Kelly of Memorial University’s School of Pharmacy titled “HIV 101: What Pharmacists Need to Know in 2018,” which focused on HIV therapeutics and care issues of importance to community pharmacists. Continuing education will also be a cornerstone of PANL’s annual conference, taking place September 21-23 in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. With a theme of Engage. Educate. Evolve., this year’s conference will once again provide delegates with unprecedented access to networking opportunities, as well as a comprehensive slate of CE sessions focused on the ever-evolving nature of pharmacy practice.
Association of Faculties of Pharmacy of Canada (AFPC) | afpc.info
The Association of Faculties of Pharmacy of Canada (AFPC) is the national voice for academic pharmacy, providing leadership for faculty members across Canada who are educating 5300 future pharmacists each year. In 2017, the 10 universities graduated 1277 new pharmacists from BScPharm or PharmD programs, and 104 practising pharmacists with BSc degrees graduated from PharmD bridging programs. To support faculty collaboration and sharing across the country, AFPC has established 8 special interest groups (SIGs). Two new SIGs were formed in 2018: Truth & Reconciliation and Self-Care Therapeutics/Minor Ailments. With funding from Canada Health Infoway, AFPC has launched an interdisciplinary chapter in our Informatics e-Resource on e-Medication Reconciliation for medicine, nursing and pharmacy students. Coming soon is a chapter on e-Prescribing and French versions of both.
Canadian Pharmacists Association (CPhA) | pharmacists.ca
The Canadian Pharmacists Conference 2018 was held in Fredericton, New Brunswick, from June 2-5, 2018. With sessions on pharmacist prescribing for urinary tract infections, mandatory error reporting, pharmacists’ role with Indigenous patients and a mother’s story of opioid overdose, more than 500 pharmacy professionals from across the country attended to learn, connect and discover around the theme Our Value, Our Story. Thanks to our delegates, speakers, sponsors and exhibitors for another successful event. Highlights are available on our website at www.pharmacists.ca/conference.
