HALIFAX,
NS, June 26, 2024 /CNW/ - During today's
plenary fire-side conversation at the Neighbourhood Pharmacy
Association of Canada's annual
#EXPO2024, leaders from across the pharmacy sector and supply chain
heard firsthand about the groundbreaking success of pharmacy-led
primary care clinics in Nova
Scotia.
The Honorable Tim Houston, Premier of Nova Scotia and Allison Bodnar, CEO of the Pharmacy Association
of Nova Scotia (PANS) shared the
extraordinary impacts of pharmacy-led clinics in easing the burden
on emergency rooms and providing accessible care to all Nova
Scotians.
"Pharmacy-led clinics are a critical part of fixing healthcare
and one of the first things our government focused on," said
Premier Tim Houston. "By expanding
their scope of care, pharmacists in Nova
Scotia can now diagnose, treat and prescribe for a wide
range of common illnesses, like strep throat, that would have
otherwise required a doctor's office or emergency department."
Pharmacies in this program provide dedicated clinic hours during
which pharmacists offer appointment-based patient care services
including assessment and prescribing for many common illnesses,
chronic diseases as well as vaccination services. Clinics
frequently provide same-day or after-hours services, offering
patients greater flexibility and easier access to care.
Patient feedback truly does speak volumes about the program as
75-year-old Don Gorby can attest, "I
have complex health issues and the care I have received is
comprehensive. They monitor my clinical signs and make changes to
my medication as needed. It is great to have consistent follow-up
care again, and I am grateful this clinic is available to
me."
Marie-Claude Vézina, Chair of the Board at Neighbourhood
Pharmacies Association of Canada,
emphasizes, "The status quo for primary care in Canada is no longer sustainable. Provincial
governments must embrace innovation and invest in
solutions-oriented approaches that leverage pharmacies to alleviate
primary care challenges in their regions."
Nova Scotia's pharmacy-led
primary care clinics have thrived due to enabling critical drivers
such as addressing patient needs, allowing full scope of practice,
securing public funding, and fostering government partnerships.
While similar models exist or are developing in other parts of
Canada, such as Alberta and Quebec, Nova
Scotia's unique approach stands out. Their dedicated funding
model for pharmacy services, coupled with a concurrent and robust
evaluation framework, has been an important differentiator for
success.
The partnership between the Nova
Scotia government and pharmacy in introducing and
implementing pharmacy-led clinics offers a proven model for other
jurisdictions to adopt. The outcomes of the pilot project emphasize
the transformative impact of empowering pharmacies as health hubs.
Their success also demonstrates the value of governments and health
partners, including pharmacy professionals, working together to
develop new and innovative solutions to respond to patient needs
and solve complex healthcare challenges.
Neighbourhood Pharmacies calls on all jurisdictions to learn
from Nova Scotia's success in
optimizing the scope, skills, and accessibility that community
pharmacies and their teams offer to address primary care
challenges. By fully embracing the role of community pharmacies,
providing necessary resources, and maintaining consistent
government support, Canada can
take critical steps needed to build a sustainable and
patient-directed healthcare system.
About Pharmacy EXPO
The pharmacy sector is gathering in Halifax this week for Pharmacy EXPO 2024,
presented by the Neighbourhood Pharmacy Association of Canada. This annual conference is the only
event dedicated exclusively to the Canadian pharmacy industry.
#EXPO2024 will feature captivating content, fascinating speakers,
opportunities to showcase services and products, and numerous
chances to network with key retailers and suppliers in the pharmacy
sector.
About the Neighbourhood Pharmacy
Association of Canada
Neighbourhood Pharmacies represents Canada's leading
pharmacy organizations, including chain, banner, long-term care,
specialty pharmacies, grocery chains, and mass merchandisers with
pharmacies. We advocate for pharmacies' role in caring for
Canadians, both behind and in front of the counter. We aim to
advance sustainable healthcare for all stakeholders by leveraging
over 12,000 pharmacies conveniently located in virtually every
community throughout the country. Pharmacies are integral points of
patient care.
Related Links
www.neighbourhoodpharmacies.ca
SOURCE Neighbourhood Pharmacy Association of Canada