The increasingly active role of pharmacists is good news for patients and Canada’s health care system, but more investment is needed.
Pharmacists’ roles are continually expanding in Canada, which is good news for patients and the long-term sustainability of our health care system. Despite the promising future of pharmacy, more investment must be made to ensure a sustainable business model for independent pharmacies going forward.
A promising future
Pharmacy professionals across Canada are taking on more active roles in patient care. Since January of 2023, pharmacists in Ontario — the last province to adopt this change — can prescribe medications for various minor ailments, including allergic rhinitis, urinary tract infections, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and more. They’re also authorized to administer several vaccinations. The continuous expansion of pharmacy scope of practice nation-wide can assist in the sustainability, accessibility, and efficiency of our country’s health care system while ensuring better care and health outcomes for patients, many of whom do not have a primary care physician or experience long wait times to see theirs.
“The future of pharmacy is very promising,” says Sherif Guorgui, Co-CEO of OnPharm-United, a network of 600 independent pharmacies across Ontario. “As the government continues to expand the capacity of the health care system, it’s paramount to keep independent pharmacy as part of the solution.”
Safeguarding the independent pharmacy business
“Small business is the backbone of the economy and independent pharmacy is the backbone of the health care system,” says Guorgui. “Hence, the long-term sustainability of independent pharmacies is crucial for ensuring continued access to care, especially in rural communities.”
The long-term sustainability of independent pharmacies is crucial for ensuring continued access to care
Independent pharmacies support and contribute to the local economy while helping to build and maintain a more resilient health care infrastructure. To ensure a sustainable business model for independent pharmacies, more investment from key stakeholders is needed.
“More investment would allow pharmacies to expand their infrastructure, adopt advanced technologies, and enhance their capacity to provide more health care services,” says Guorgui. OnPharm-United supports independent pharmacies by providing programs, tools, and resources to support their practices and businesses. It also advocates with government and stakeholders to ensure it brings forward its members’ voices and concerns to policy makers.
Learn more at onpharmunited.ca.
