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
We have continued our advocacy work to support pharmacists as they participate in the Alberta COVID-19 Pharmacy Immunization Program (ACPIP). Alberta pharmacists were invited to enroll in the ACPIP in late February, with the first pharmacy locations selected to start at the beginning of March using the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. In April, the program was expanded to include approximately 1300 pharmacies enabled to vaccinate patients against COVID-19 using Pfizer, Moderna and AstraZeneca vaccines. As of May 3, Alberta pharmacists had administered 583,845 doses of COVID-19 vaccine, representing approximately 35% of all COVID-19 vaccinations delivered in the province, a number that continues to grow.
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. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for efficient and secure transmission of prescriptions and electronic communications between prescribers and pharmacists. To support adoption of e-prescribing, AFPC has partnered with Infoway to launch 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, communications and efficiency. These free AFPC courses are CCCEP-accredited and can be accessed at https://eLearnHCP.ca/eRx.
Association québécoise des pharmaciens propriétaires (AQPP) | aqpp.qc.ca
There are currently 1500 pharmacies in Quebec that vaccinate against COVID-19. Thanks to the pharmacists’ proximity and expertise with vaccination, pharmacies are making an essential contribution to the success of the provincial COVID-19 vaccination operation. These pharmacies will be greatly involved in the administration of the second dose of the vaccine when required in the upcoming months.
British Columbia Pharmacy Association (BCPhA) | bcpharmacy.ca
In mid-April, the British Columbia Ministry of Health approved an increase in the fee for any COVID-19 vaccine administered by BC community pharmacists. The new fee of $18 was made retroactive to any doses administered since the vaccination program began in pharmacies. BCPhA was very pleased to see the government recognize pharmacy’s critical role in COVID-19 vaccination and continues to support vaccine rollout and administration across the province.
Canadian Pharmacists Association (CPhA) | pharmacists.ca
This spring, CPhA organized dozens of meetings with federal members of parliament (MPs), with participation from local pharmacists from each MPs’ riding sharing their personal experiences from the front lines during COVID-19. Our conversations focused on the role pharmacists are playing in vaccinations and in safe opioid prescribing and management, including a specific ask to extend/make permanent the exemptions to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act that have allowed pharmacists to extend/renew, adapt, transfer, accept verbal orders and delegate deliveries of prescriptions. The meetings have been overwhelmingly positive, with much praise and appreciation expressed for the profession. In the midst of this campaign, CPhA was honoured to organize a virtual meeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland. Moderated by CPhA chair Christina Tulk, the virtual session was livestreamed and featured 10 pharmacists from across Canada sharing their experiences administering COVID-19 vaccinations.
New Brunswick Pharmacists’ Association (NBPA) | nbpharma.ca
The NBPA continues to support pharmacists and their teams as they play a significant role in New Brunswick’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout. From the initial planning stages, NB Public Health actively involved pharmacists in the vaccine rollout plans. Of the province’s 233 pharmacies, 218 are involved in the COVID vaccination program, and pharmacy teams have administered all types of vaccine approved for use in Canada. Our pharmacists continue to be adept at responding quickly to changes in supply, as well as to organizing efficient clinics, including drive-throughs and community clinics in partnership with other immunizers. The NBPA and its members are also playing an important role communicating information about the vaccination program and the vaccines to the public. Pharmacists are active in the media to help explain the vaccination program and are sharing COVID vaccine selfies (with patient permission) to help address vaccine hesitancy.
Ontario Pharmacists Association (OPA) | opatoday.com
Managing the COVID-19 pandemic continues to be an important priority in Ontario. OPA has actively supported the rollout and expansion of COVID-19 vaccine administration and COVID-19 testing across the province. Following the successful launch of the AstraZeneca vaccines, additional mRNA vaccines were also made available through participating Ontario pharmacies. To support members through the onboarding and rollout of the pharmacy vaccination program, we developed a pharmacy playbook, FAQ and curated a partnership with MedEssist, a digital tool that assists pharmacies with the scheduling of COVID-19 vaccines. Additionally, OPA also highlighted Pharmacy Awareness Month (PAM) alongside CPhA, and the 100 years of insulin discovery (www.opatoday.com/100yearsofinsulin). Both events celebrated the importance and contributions of pharmacy professionals as key health care providers. This year, we also hosted our first-ever virtual conference on June 4-5. It was an engaging and interactive event that celebrated everything pharmacy. The conference included professional development sessions, virtual exhibitors, networking and talks from industry leaders that left attendees feeling inspired.
Pharmacists’ Association of Newfoundland and Labrador (PANL) | panl.net
This spring, pharmacists joined physicians and other immunizers in providing safe, timely and convenient access to COVID-19 vaccinations to the residents of the province. The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador committed to including pharmacists in Phase 3 of the provincial vaccination campaign—vaccination of the general public, starting in late May. Given the critical role pharmacists played in this year’s influenza vaccination campaign, delivering over 40% of the total full shots in the province, clearly Newfoundlanders and Labradorians see their local pharmacy as a convenient and safe place to receive vaccinations. PANL is currently actively planning for its 2021 Virtual Continuing Education Program, expected to take place in October. The 2020 program was a great success, and we are working to ensure this year’s program once again delivers current and informative sessions to members.
Pharmacists Manitoba | pharmacistsmb.ca
Pharmacists Manitoba was pleased to offer 12 CEUs through our spring conference, with an additional 12 CEUs expected during the second conference later this year. In combination, these 2 events will provide the opportunity for Manitoba pharmacists to obtain at least 24 CEUs in time for 2021 licensure, which is a great achievement! In other news, pharmacists in Manitoba are booking appointments for the AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD Vaccine for those aged 40+ or 30-39 with certain health conditions. Pharmacists Manitoba applauds our pharmacists’ efforts to get vaccines into arms. We continue to work with the provincial vaccine task force to lobby for all vaccines to be available for pharmacist administration in community pharmacies.
Pharmacy Association of Nova Scotia (PANS) | pans.ns.ca
Pharmacies in Nova Scotia became the primary provider of the COVID-19 vaccine as the province reached its peak delivery period in May and June. Almost 300 pharmacies across the province provided patients with either the Pfizer, Moderna or AstraZeneca vaccine. PANS played, and continues to play, a vital role in supporting pharmacy in this program. This includes responsibilities such as training, vaccine allocation, clinic booking details (using the central bookings system CANImmunize/Clinic Flow) and continued problem solving. The immunization program will continue through the summer to achieve the goal of every Nova Scotian who wants the vaccine receiving both doses by September.
Pharmacy Association of Saskatchewan (PAS) | skpharmacists.ca
PAS continues to support pharmacists during the expansion of COVID-19 vaccinations to community pharmacies. Community vaccinations in pharmacies include first and second doses of vaccinations across the province. The vaccination pilots began at the end of April, with continued rollouts to the 388 pharmacies that registered to administer the vaccine. In August, the PAS Board will complete a new strategic plan for the association, and will seek member input in September. On September 16, PAS will be hosting an online AGM and panel featuring world-renowned futurist Nikolas Badminton, 2 ground-breaking pharmacist practice examples and motivational speaker Kaleb Dahlgren.
Prince Edward Island Pharmacists Association (PEIPhA) | peipharm.info
Pharmacists across PEI worked hard through the spring to contribute to the province’s COVID-19 vaccination campaign, addressing vaccine hesitancy, providing counsel and administering vaccines at limited sites. As supply expanded, more pharmacies began to administer the vaccine and we look forward to continuing to vaccinate Islanders through the summer months. Our Annual Conference & AGM once again took place virtually, from May 1-15. Approximately 100 delegates participated in a series of continuing education sessions focused on a variety of clinical topics, as well as a session on self-care and personal resilience. Our thanks to all the presenters and delegates who made this year’s virtual conference a success.
