Expanding Roles for Pharmacists: Enhancing Access and Addressing Prescription Challenges

Starting June 1, 2023, British Columbia pharmacists gained the authority to prescribe medications for specific, generally low-risk conditions that can be diagnosed without lab tests and typically resolve with straightforward treatment. These conditions include acne, allergic rhinitis, urinary tract infections, and more. This regulatory change aims to enhance the services provided by community pharmacies, increase access to care, and alleviate the burden on other primary care providers.

Majid Mahichi – Local Journalism Initiative

To ensure safe and effective care when diagnosing and prescribing, pharmacists must complete a mandatory Regulatory Education Module. This training, developed collaboratively by the College, the Ministry of Health, and UBC's Continuing Pharmacy Professional Development Program (CPPD), covers the regulatory framework enabling pharmacist prescribing in BC and is offered free to all BC pharmacists. Over 75% of eligible community pharmacists in BC had completed this training as of June 1, 2023.

Dr. Kamran Salehi, who manages two pharmacies in North Vancouver, sheds light on the unique challenges faced in his region, particularly emphasizing the cultural attitudes towards medication among the Iranian community. Many in this community prefer to dictate their own prescriptions and believe in self-diagnosing—a mindset potentially carried over from Iran, but inappropriate in Canada where medication is not dispensed carelessly. For instance, while antibiotics are in high demand, they are prescribed judiciously to prevent misuse. Dr. Salehi also critiques pharmacies located within large stores for potentially delaying medication dispensing to encourage additional shopping, a practice he views as unethical.

Additionally, Dr. Salehi highlights a broader issue of healthcare staffing shortages in Vancouver, which complicates the challenge of prescription dispensing. This scenario underscores the critical role of pharmacists in maintaining medication safety standards, especially in communities with specific cultural expectations regarding healthcare.

This enhanced role of pharmacists, supported by rigorous training and a structured regulatory framework, is part of a broader effort to expand the capacity of BC’s primary care providers and improve patient access to care for minor ailments and contraception. Optional additional training resources, like MedSask's "Minor Ailment and Self-Care Guidelines" and accredited clinical education modules provided by UBC CPPD, further support pharmacists in this pivotal role. These initiatives reflect a significant shift towards more integrated and accessible healthcare services within the community pharmacy.

Volunteer TV host:

Mohammad Ahmadi

Producer:

Majid Mahichi

Skyrise Media Society