Pharmacists among the most accessible health care providers
Given the staffing shortages challenging Saskatchewan’s health care system, pharmacists remain one of the most accessible health care providers in the province.
Indeed, with more than 1,700 pharmacists and 424 pharmacies in 125 communities across the province, pharmacists play a critical role in supporting and strengthening public health.
“We have the network to help deliver health care on the frontlines for the province,” says Michael Fougere, CEO of the Pharmacy Association of Saskatchewan.
With fewer primary care facilities and physician practices, particularly in rural and remote areas of the province, pharmacists play an increasingly vital role in the health care field. In some locations, the local pharmacist may be the only health care provider on hand.
“You may not be close to a hospital or a physician—or you can’t find a physician — but you can certainly talk to your pharmacist,” says Fougere. “There’s a web of support that is right there and available.”
With many pharmacies open for extended hours and on weekends—available for consults or health-related questions— patients may visit their pharmacist more often than their own physician.
“The interaction is quite different compared to other health care professionals. You can walk in to see your pharmacist without any appointment and talk to him or her,” he says. “The pharmacist will know the patient quite well.”
EXPANDED ROLE
Fougere notes the traditional role of pharmacists has evolved from simply dispensing medications at the direction of physicians to a more proactive role.
Today, pharmacists play a critical role in Saskatchewan’s health care team. They can prescribe medication for common ailments, such as seasonal allergies, urinary tract infections, headaches and insect bites; extend refills on existing prescriptions; provide emergency supplies of prescribed medication; provide counselling for chronic disease management such as diabetes and asthma; and order, access and use lab tests for chronic diseases, working in collaboration with physicians.
In recent years, regulatory changes have allowed pharmacists to broaden the scope of their professional services—administering flu, travel and COVID vaccines, for example. Pharmacists also support public health by promoting wellness and healthy lifestyles, and guiding patients to better manage their medications.
“We are looking at ways to help the province’s health care system that utilizes pharmacists more,” says Fougere. “We think pharmacists can play a central role in providing that safety net that’s needed and fill some of the gaps in the system that’s needed right now.”
ON THE FRONTLINES
That was certainly the case when the pandemic emerged in Saskatchewan, with pharmacists quick to meet that challenge.
“Over the past few years, we’ve seen a greater reliance on pharmacists for immunization for COVID,” he said. “Pharmacists didn’t stop doing their work— they were on the frontline all the time. We’re very proud we administered vaccines all over the province.
“We’ve been expanding our services in that regard, and we have the offer to the province if they want to expand our scope of practice, particularly for remote and rural areas.”
As Saskatchewan heads into cold and flu season, early indications are that influenza 2023 is likely to return to PRECOVID-19 levels or higher. This, coupled with on-going COVID-19 transmission, will put additional pressures on the health care system and health care providers.
Fougere encourages people to get an annual flu shot, as well as keep up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations, to protect themselves and those around them.
“This year, with the potential of another wave of COVID, our pharmacists will be on the frontline, and will be administering flu shots as well,” he says. “We are well prepared for that.”