Abstract
Stronger together
Canada’s pharmacy associations work together on key, critical issues affecting the profession in support of healthy Canadians, exceptional pharmacists and strong associations. This CPJ feature highlights some of the work happening at pharmacy associations across the country.
Alberta Pharmacists’ Association (RxA) | rxa.ca
In the spring of 2019, the Alberta Pharmacists’ Association (RxA) secured $2 million in grant funding to support community pharmacists and their development of innovative practice to enhance the delivery of health care in Alberta. Pharmacy Practice Innovation projects will help support RxA and their advocacy efforts to expand funded pharmacy services. Community pharmacy projects include implementation of pharmacogenetics, hepatitis C assessment and access to treatment in high-risk populations, TB skin testing, screening and treatment of syphilis and other sexually transmitted infections, chronic pain assessment and management, development of comprehensive addiction treatment plans, and reclassifying obesity to be recognized as a chronic condition. As we begin to move forward from COVID-19, so do these innovative projects.
Association québécoise des pharmaciens propriétaires (AQPP) | aqpp.qc.ca
In late June, Quebec’s provincial COVID-19 vaccination booking platform was updated to allow citizens to book their second dose appointments at a different site from where they received their first dose. The government also updated guidance to allow those 18 and older who received a first dose of Pfizer-BioNTech to receive Moderna as a second dose. Significant progress was made administering second doses through the summer months, as increased quantities of the Moderna vaccine were received at the 1475 community pharmacies across Quebec participating in the vaccination campaign.
Canadian Pharmacists Association (CPhA) | pharmacists.ca
On June 22, Health Canada announced that temporary exemptions to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) that were implemented to support continuity of care for patients through the COVID-19 pandemic have been extended to September 2026. These exemptions, giving pharmacists the ability to transfer, adapt, direct delivery, extend/renew and accept verbal orders for prescriptions for controlled substances, have made an incredible difference for patients across the country, and their extension is a direct acknowledgement of the vital role pharmacists have played in supporting their patients and ensuring uninterrupted care. CPhA has been actively advocating for these exemptions to be extended and made permanent, and we’ll continue to advocate for more opportunities and supports for pharmacists in safe opioid prescribing and management. Learn more about these exemptions and our advocacy efforts at www.pharmacists.ca/CDSAextend.
New Brunswick Pharmacists’ Association (NBPA) | nbpharma.ca
New Brunswick pharmacy teams are preparing for a busy flu shot season after an extremely active summer of administering COVID vaccines. The New Brunswick government plans to build on last year’s highly successful pharmacy-led universal flu campaign, with the addition of publicly funded Fluzone High-Dose Quadrivalent flu vaccines being made available to patients aged 65 and older. We anticipate pharmacists will once again be front and center in the media to answer questions about both COVID vaccines and flu shots. The NBPA is preparing a campaign to support their efforts. The first announcements of new publicly funded pharmacy services are expected this fall as the result of the NBPA’s continued work with the Department of Health’s Pharmacy Services Working Group.
Ontario Pharmacists Association (OPA) | opatoday.com
OPA’s advocacy efforts remain focused on the successful COVID-19 vaccination rollout, expanding scope of practice, the economic sustainability of the sector and maintaining the well-being of the profession. In early July, pharmacy professionals reached the significant milestone of administering over 2.4 million COVID-19 vaccines. Additionally, during the 2020/21 Universal Influenza Immunization Program (UIIP), pharmacy professionals administered a record 1.8 million+ doses of influenza vaccines. OPA advocated for and promoted recommendations to the Ministry of Health to implement improvements for the upcoming 2021/22 UIIP season. OPA is also working on supporting the implementation of the expected minor ailments program and expanding routine immunizations into pharmacies for adult and child vaccinations. Another priority area is reforming the long-term care pharmacy funding model and achieving fair reimbursement for dispensing and pharmacy services. OPA applauds all pharmacy professionals and is proud to serve as a voice of the profession.
Pharmacists’ Association of Newfoundland and Labrador (PANL) | panl.net
In June, pharmacists in Newfoundland and Labrador joined other immunizers in providing safe, timely and convenient access to COVID-19 vaccinations to residents of the province. NL pharmacists remain the cornerstone of patient care in Newfoundland and Labrador. From ensuring patients continued to receive in-person health-care services in the early days of the pandemic to the present — delivering life-saving vaccines — our pharmacists stepped up and have never stepped down. 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
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Pharmacists Manitoba has supported our members as they care for Manitobans. As our province makes progress on vaccination efforts, we have offered our members the opportunity to promote COVID-19 vaccine availability at their pharmacy on our Twitter account. Pharmacists Manitoba has also used our social media accounts to encourage Manitobans to talk to their pharmacist about their vaccine questions using the hashtag #talktoyourmbpharmacist. Additionally, Pharmacists Manitoba has applied for a provincial grant in hopes of expanding our campaign and reaching even more vaccine-hesitant Manitobans. We see the potential for the hashtag to be used to encourage all Manitobans to talk to their pharmacist about their health concerns in the future.
Pharmacy Association of Nova Scotia (PANS) | pans.ns.ca
The Pharmacy Association of Nova Scotia (PANS) is busy preparing for its Annual Conference on October 1-2, 2021. Due to the uncertainly around the pandemic and flexibility required by pharmacies due their significant involvement in the COVID-19 Vaccine Program in Nova Scotia, it was decided to hold a virtual conference for the second year in a row. PANS is building on the success of last year’s conference with expert speakers from across the country. All sessions will be recorded and housed on the PANS learning management platform to provide attendees additional time to view the sessions and review the corresponding materials. Additional information on the 2021 Nova Scotia Pharmacy Conference is available at pans.ns.ca/conference.
Pharmacy Association of Saskatchewan (PAS) | skpharmacists.ca
On September 16, PAS hosted a successful online AGM and panel featuring world-renowned futurist Nikolas Badminton, 2 ground-breaking pharmacist practice examples and motivational speaker Kaleb Dahlgren. PAS is supporting pharmacists during the 2021/22 Seasonal Influenza Program by providing professional tools and supports for our members. Pharmacists continue to provide COVID-19 vaccinations to Saskatchewan residents, delivering an estimated 229,596 COVID-19 vaccinations between June and July. In July, long-time PAS CEO Dawn Martin stepped down and the Board began its search for a new CEO for the Association. During this transition, members continue to be supported by the Interim CEO, Virginia Wilkinson, and the rest of the PAS staff.
Prince Edward Island Pharmacists Association (PEIPhA) | peipharm.info
Pharmacists continue to play a vital role in protecting Islanders from COVID-19 through vaccination. As supply has increased, vaccine clinics have been made available in virtually every community pharmacy in PEI. In addition, pharmacists from both hospital and community practices collaborate with other health-care providers, administering vaccines at the public health mass clinics across the province. These efforts are made in addition to the important medication management and patient care services pharmacists provide every single day. Our pharmacists must be commended — they truly are amazing!