The Pharmacist's Role in the Canadian Health System

The role of Pharmacists in the Canadian health care system continues to evolve.  With our training and expertise in medications, chronic disease management, health promotion and prevention, combined with our accessibility, recent studies have shown that expanded Pharmacy Services in Canada can result in cost savings in the health care system.

There are over 40,000 licensed pharmacists working in Canada, with the majority (70%) working in over 10,000 community pharmacies, 15% in hospitals, and another 15% in other sectors (e.g. industry, academic, research, government)(1).  This accessibility, in combination with our training and expertise in medication management, pharmacists with expanded scope of practice can optimize access for patients to timely care in the community.  By intervening early, pharmacists play an important role in chronic disease management and can also prevent medication-related adverse events, ultimately leading to a reduction in emergency room visits.

Scope of practice for pharmacists is not yet uniform across Canada.  There is a trend towards expanded scope of practice for pharmacists in recent years including administration of vaccinations, medication reviews, assessment and prescribing for minor ailments(2).  In the hospital setting, pharmacists play a pivotal role in optimizing seamless care by conducting medication reconciliation at transitions of care.

With the aging population and increasing demand for health services, it is evident in my daily practice that resources are limited to respond to rapidly changing patient needs.  As Canadian hospitals are publicly funded, we are often asked to find efficiencies and to do more with less.  A recent report (The Value of Expanded Pharmacy Services in Canada) found that pharmacists delivering services such as smoking cessation clinics, advanced medication review for heart disease, and pneumococcal vaccinations can yield cumulative cost savings between $2.5 billion and $25.7 billion over the next 20 years(3).

I believe that my profession is moving in the right direction.  With advocacy, data, and research supporting expanded scope of practice for pharmacists, we will play an important role in contributing to a more sustainable health care system in Canada.

References

1. Pharmacists in Canada.  (2018).  Accessed on September 24, 2018 from https://www.pharmacists.ca/pharmacy-in-canada/pharmacists-in-canada/.

2. Changing Face of Pharmacy.  (2017).  Accessed on September 18, 2018 from https://www.cfpnet.ca/bank/document_en/118-2017-changing-face-of-pharmacy.pdf.

3. Expanding role of community pharmacists could save Canada's health care system up to $25.7 billion.  (2017).  Accessed on September 18, 2018 from https://www.pharmacists.ca/news-events/news/expanding-role-of-community-pharmacists-could-save-canada-s-health-care-system-up-to-25-7-billion/.