For decades, the primary function of the pharmacy profession has been dispensing medication and speaking with patients about their prescription. While this function plays an even more important role in the pharmacist-patient relationship today, provincial governments across Canada have come to recognize that pharmacists can do more and are well positioned to play a greater role in not just treating and caring for patients, but also contributing to the overall strength and sustainability of the health care system.

Since 2007 governments have been expanding the scope of practice for pharmacists so they could provide more services to patients such as, adjusting or adapting prescriptions, prescribing for certain minor ailments, prescribing in emergency situations, smoking cessation counselling, administering immunizations, conducting medication reviews and creating care plans. While governments have promoted these new services, many patients are still unaware of the enhanced role their pharmacist can play in managing their health. However, when the pharmacy community has moved to help inform and educate patients on these services the response from patients has been overwhelmingly positive.

For example, in 2011 the only way an individual in Ontario could get a flu-shot is if they made an appointment with their doctor, or stood in line for hours at a public clinic held in a gymnasium or other non-health care setting. Both options were generally time consuming and inconvenient. In 2012, pharmacists began administering flu-shots in Ontario, and in just three years, the number of patients that have received a flu-shot from a pharmacist has nearly quadrupled. The success of this program speaks volumes to the positive impact pharmacists and the industry can have on the health and well-being of patients as well as on the broader health care system.

With an expanded scope of practice comes an increased responsibility for a pharmacist to be more engaged in a patients’ health care. Pharmacists throughout Canada have stepped-up and embraced their new role as a significant contributor in helping manage the primary care of their patients. That responsibility extends beyond the pharmacist to the retail pharmacy industry. The broader pharmacy industry has made a commitment to improve access and patient outcomes in Canada. Rexall and its pharmacists work hard every day to meet that commitment by providing patients with the highest quality of care, and improving health outcomes by delivering a more complete and personalized health experience.

Health care is at the core of our business. Rexall makes no apologies for encouraging our pharmacists to be proactive, to engage with and speak to patients about their health and well-being, and to provide these services in an effort to deliver on this shared commitment. All pharmacists use their professional judgement when a patient focused service should be provided and we expect our pharmacists to practice to the highest professional standard and in accordance with provincial regulations and regulatory standards of practice and bylaws.