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.
Alberta Pharmacists’ Association (RxA) | rxa.ca
Pharmacists are everyday heroes! Pharmacists and their teams are on the front lines, showing up to keep Albertans safe, healthy and out of the hospital. They truly are the unsung heroes. The Alberta Pharmacists’ Association (RxA) shares the story of an Alberta pharmacist every week to recognize their contributions to keeping their patients healthy. Read about how Alberta pharmacists make a difference in their communities at www.rxa.ca.
Association of Faculties of Pharmacy of Canada (AFPC) | afpc.info
Adoption of PrescribeIT, Canada Health Infoway’s national electronic prescribing service, is being implemented in community pharmacies and clinics across Canada. Most pharmacy chains have signed agreements with Infoway and the need for electronic prescriptions was highlighted with the COVID-19 pandemic. PrescribeIT enables e-prescription data transmission and e-communications directly between prescribers’ electronic medical record systems (EMR) and pharmacy management systems (PMS). To support adoption, AFPC has launched 2 innovative, case-based, online CE courses for practising pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, physicians and other prescribers. The first is on safe and effective e-prescribing and the second focuses on workflow integration and efficiency. Both AFPC courses are free and can be accessed at https://elearnhcp.ca/erx.
Association québécoise des pharmaciens propriétaires (AQPP) | aqpp.qc.ca
On January 25, the government of Quebec announced that Quebecers will no longer pay a deductible and a copay on clinical services at the pharmacy, such as the prescription of certain medications when no diagnosis is required. Throughout 2021, pharmacists in Quebec will share this information with their patients, highlighting this new opportunity to access accessible and quality care. More than ever, faced with the pressure on our health care system, it is important that patients can receive the right service, from the right professional, at the right time.
Canadian Pharmacists Association (CPhA) | pharmacists.ca
March is Pharmacy Appreciation Month! That’s right. . . this year, PAM will move from “awareness” to “appreciation” for pharmacy teams across the country, reflecting on and celebrating the extraordinary role they play in health care. As we’ve seen throughout the pandemic, the pharmacy community truly stepped up, staying open and accessible to answer questions, allay concerns, provide additional health care services and administer a record number of flu shots, all while implementing necessary protocols and procedures to protect staff and patients. There are more reasons than ever to celebrate the pharmacy profession, highlight the health care services now offered at the pharmacy and encourage Canadians to thank their pharmacy professional. Visit pharmacists.ca/pam for information and resources on how you can get involved. Thank you pharmacy!
New Brunswick Pharmacists’ Association (NBPA) | nbpharma.ca
As we head into Pharmacy Appreciation Month, the NBPA will continue to highlight the excellent work of our #AskYourPharmacist columnist Kevin Duplisea. A pharmacist at Sharps Corner Drugstore in Sussex, NB, Kevin (BSc, BScPharm, PharmD, ACPR) has written an Ask Your Pharmacist column for New Brunswick’s 3 daily newspapers for over a year. He’s never missed a deadline, even during the COVID-19 pandemic and a busy flu vaccination season. His columns have covered topics ranging from COVID vaccine safety and mask acne to sexually transmitted infections and COVID anxiety. His writing helps raise public awareness about the vital role pharmacists play in primary health care. You can find his columns on our website at nbpharma.ca. Please feel free to share his columns on your own social media channels.
Pharmacists’ Association of Newfoundland and Labrador (PANL) | panl.net
Pharmacists in Newfoundland and Labrador continue to provide front-line health care services to all residents. So far in the 2020–21 flu vaccination campaign, community pharmacists have administered over 40% of the total number of flu vaccines and NL is seeing its highest rates of individuals being immunized in several years. NL pharmacists are ready to do their part in administering the COVID-19 vaccine and PANL is actively advocating for adequate government support in this area, as well as ensuring that pharmacists themselves are considered essential workers and vaccinated as soon as possible.
Pharmacists Manitoba | pharmacistsmb.ca
2020 was a challenging year for everyone, including pharmacists in Manitoba. Manitoba pharmacists stepped up and continued to provide outstanding patient care while implementing safety protocols and procedures. Pharmacists Manitoba initiated conversations with the provincial government about the important role pharmacists play in our health care system and encouraged expanding the pharmacist’s role to alleviate the additional stresses on the system. Members of the Board have participated in several media interviews stressing the importance of community pharmacists in Manitoba who are trained and ready to assist the province with the COVID-19 vaccine rollout. We look forward to supporting our members as they face the challenges 2021 will bring.
Pharmacy Association of Nova Scotia (PANS) | pans.ns.ca
The Pharmacy Association of Nova Scotia (PANS) continues to support its members as they face ongoing and new challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic with up-to-date information and resources to help them navigate these ever-changing times. Today, patients in Nova Scotia rely on pharmacy teams more than ever to access health care in this province. PANS has consistently been developing and adapting tools to help pharmacies provide high-quality and easier access to health care services, such as prescription renewals and assessments for conditions such as urinary tract infections and shingles, as well as hormonal birth control. The Association is working with the Department of Health and Wellness and other stakeholders to support the province in their COVID-19 vaccination rollout.
Pharmacy Association of Saskatchewan (PAS) | skpharmacists.ca
PAS remains focused on ensuring members are supported during the pandemic. The Association continues to work on preparation for our 2021 Virtual Conference being held in the spring. In January, PAS restarted contract negotiations with the province, continuing to work towards a new and fair contract for pharmacy. At the end of 2020, the Ministry of Health confirmed that pharmacists had provided over 200,000 of the influenza injections in Saskatchewan, continuing to demonstrate pharmacy’s significant contribution to health care. In March, PAS joins our provincial and national partners in celebrating Pharmacy Appreciation Month, highlighting the impact all pharmacy professionals have on Canadians. Thank you, pharmacy, for the front-line health care you consistently provide to Saskatchewan residents.
Prince Edward Island Pharmacists Association (PEIPhA) | peipharm.info
As rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine continues across the country, PEI pharmacists are anxious to do their part. Continuing their important role in protecting the health of patients, clients and the community, pharmacists look forward to being vaccinated themselves as front-line health care professionals and to partnering with the province in administering life-saving vaccines. Let’s DO this!
