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 CPJ feature highlights some of the work happening at pharmacy associations across the country, and our focus for this issue is on the response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Alberta Pharmacists’ Association (RxA) | rxa.ca
RxA is committed to ensuring that pharmacists in Alberta have the tools and resources to support their patients as we continue to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to advocating for the profession, RxA has increased all communications to ensure Alberta pharmacists are kept informed through these unprecedented times. Our COVID-19 webpage hosts RxA-created tools and resources, as well as accessible outside resources, as a one-stop-shop for COVID-19 information. We have also introduced a Member2Member area on our new website, which allows members to share information and resources. These and many more initiatives are communicated in our e-newsletter, the Daily Capsule.
Association of Faculties of Pharmacy of Canada (AFPC) | afpc.info
The COVID-19 pandemic profoundly impacted Canadian universities, including all 10 faculties of pharmacy. In mid-March, programs pivoted to virtually deliver courses and assess students to enable them to complete the spring term. Clinical placements were immediately cancelled in most provinces, challenging faculties to ensure students meet the required weeks of experiential education. For the class of 2020 graduates, the May PEBC qualifying exams were cancelled, delaying their registration as licensed pharmacists. In Quebec, the faculties ended the term early for 4th-year students, and they were licensed early as PEBCs are not required. Pharmaceutical science bench research has stalled, except for those with COVID-related research projects. Planning is underway for virtual courses for the fall term, and physical distancing measures are being considered in the event that in-class instruction is possible.
Canadian Pharmacists Association (CPhA) | pharmacists.ca
Since the COVID-19 pandemic was declared, CPhA has worked tirelessly to support pharmacists across Canada as they continued to provide exemplary care to patients. Our efforts were redirected to COVID-19 and to providing credible information and practical tools and resources to support the profession. We launched a new COVID Conversations webinar series to answer some of pharmacists’ most pressing questions and concerns, with open access to both the live events and recordings. Throughout the crisis, CPhA has remained committed to advocating for protections and recognition for pharmacists, calling on governments to include pharmacy in allocations of personal protective equipment (PPE) and other supports for front-line workers. We continue to monitor drug shortages and work with a variety of key stakeholders to support the profession and Canadians who may be affected. CPhA’s COVID-19 information and resources can be found at pharmacists.ca/covid19 and pharmacists.ca/covid19fr.
New Brunswick Pharmacists’ Association (NBPA) | nbpharma.ca
The NBPA is continuing to support pharmacists and their teams during the global COVID-19 pandemic. The NBPA worked collaboratively with the NB College of Pharmacists to ensure pharmacy professionals have the tools and resources necessary to continue to help their patients and to help keep themselves safe while doing so. We established a working group with the NB Department of Health so we could quickly share information and resources, as well as advocate for items such as childcare and PPE for pharmacy professionals. We developed guidance documents, pharmacy signage and social media graphics. We opened up NBPA membership to any pharmacist or technician in New Brunswick so we could easily share our regular COVID e-newsletter updates.
Ontario Pharmacists Association (OPA) | opatoday.com
Ontario’s pharmacy professionals have been integral to patients, ensuring they are able to receive continued care throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Early in the pandemic, many went to great lengths retrofitting their pharmacies, extending delivery services and adding curbside pick-up to maintain patient care. In addition, as health care colleagues adapted their practices to virtual service or closed completely, Ontario pharmacy professionals became a valuable community resource providing care and responding to patient needs throughout the pandemic. OPA has provided a number of tools to support its members in providing patient care, including a Pharmacist’s Guide to Pandemic Preparedness, a Guide to Providing Virtual Care, pharmacy signage, a Return-to-Work Flowchart as well as a series of video tips created by OPA instructors on topics such as providing opioid agonist therapy, hydroxychloroquine, improving mental health and more. OPA has dedicated COVID-19 web resources for pharmacy professionals, patients as well as an advocacy section. Visit www.opatoday.com/coronavirus.
Pharmacists’ Association of Newfoundland and Labrador (PANL) | panl.net
PANL is exceptionally proud of our members. There is no doubt community and hospital pharmacy teams in Newfoundland and Labrador have risen to the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic as they continue to put the health and well-being of their patients first. During these stressful times, PANL is actively advocating on their behalf for the supports they need to provide this care, such as access to PPE and childcare, and will continue to do as the safe and efficient delivery of pharmacy services evolves.
Pharmacists Manitoba | pharmacistsmb.ca
On March 12, 2020, Manitoba Health announced the first case of COVID-19 in Manitoba. The next day the annual Pharmacists Manitoba Conference was postponed and our focus changed to the development of COVID-19 resources to help our members stay up to date and manage logistical issues resulting from the pandemic. Our COVID-19 resource webpage is updated regularly as new information becomes available. Pharmacists Manitoba has also been in conversation with the Manitoba government during the pandemic to ensure that our members’ concerns are heard. As our province slowly begins to reopen, we will continue to advocate on behalf of our members, who are working hard to keep Manitobans healthy.
Pharmacy Association of Nova Scotia (PANS) | pans.ns.ca
As the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) started to reach our shores, the team at PANS quickly shifted their focus to supporting pharmacy teams through this pandemic. This included developing guidance documents, pharmacy signage and other collateral materials, and webinars related to providing services during the State of Emergency and staying healthy. We established communication tools to ensure our members quickly received the latest information as it became available. We continue to pivot and adapt as new needs arise. This includes government relations and communications activities. At all times, we are concerned about the health and well-being of our members and work to protect them during these challenging times.
Pharmacy Association of Saskatchewan (PAS) | skpharmacists.ca
Throughout COVID-19, PAS and the PAS Board continue to focus our work on members and help them manage the impact in community pharmacies across Saskatchewan. As a membership organization advocating for the pharmacy profession, PAS continues to communicate the concerns of our members to health care partners during COVID-19. PAS has provided additional supports such as virtual sessions with a registered psychologist, virtual sessions from this year’s cancelled in-person conference and ongoing updates to members around policy and legislative changes that impact pharmacy practice. PAS recently completed its Membership Matters 2020 renewal campaign, our first year as a fully online process. We will continue to build resources and communicate with members moving into the fall and the changes COVID-19 may bring to the upcoming flu season.
Prince Edward Island Pharmacists Association (PEIPhA) | peipharm.info
As we navigate the impact of COVID-19 on the front lines, protection of our members and the public we serve has been of the utmost importance. We were successful in advocating for pharmacists to be recognized as essential front-line health care providers in PEI, thereby included in provincial contingency PPE stock planning. We have been able to minimize face-to-face interactions by successfully advocating for policy change to allow for remote medication reviews. We continue to work with CPhA to provide the most up-to-date guidance on safety best practices resources as pharmacists and staff continue to serve patients on the front lines of this pandemic.
Yukon Pharmacists Association (YPA) | yukonpharmacists.ca
In August 2019, the new Yukon Pharmacist Regulations came into effect, allowing Yukon pharmacists to extend and adapt prescriptions. During the current pandemic Yukon residents benefitted from this expanded scope. Doctor’s offices were closed for in-person visits and patients were directed to contact their pharmacist to have their prescriptions extended. Currently pharmacists are not reimbursed for this service. The Yukon Pharmacists Association is advocating for pharmacists to be reimbursed for their services and for further expanded scope activities to be considered in the regulations that will take pressure off the health care system and reduce visits to the emergency room.
