Advocacy Leader in Pharmacy Joelle Walker: ‘Advocacy is not a linear path and can take a lot of time.’

SnapshotEducation: LL.B., University of OttawaCurrent role: Vice President Public and Professional Affairs, Canadian Pharmacists’ AssociationDescribe your journey into the field of pharmacy and what inspired you to take on a leadership role in advocacy.I suppose I had a reverse journey. I’m a lawyer by training and I fell into pharmacy quite randomly when I was hired at CPhA as their Director of Government Relations. As a lawyer you’re taught to represent your client’s interests, how to negotiate and how to navigate regulatory and legislative processes. These are the same skills that I use every day to represent and advocate for the profession and for pharmacy. I’m so proud to work for such an incredible group of professionals, especially at such an important time in healthcare. What are some of the most significant challenges you have faced in your advocacy efforts, and how have you overcome them?Although when I started my journey in pharmacy, I had a pretty extensive health background, I knew nothing about pharmacy. The lack of knowledge about pharmacy and what pharmacists do remains one of the biggest challenges that we’re constantly working to overcome. The pace of change in scope is accelerating governments’ appreciation of pharmacy but most people still don’t fully understand what a pharmacist does. This is why we’re embarking on one of the largest campaigns to help change people’s understanding of the extensive education and skills that pharmacists need to deliver the primary care services we all need.How do you envision the future of pharmacy practice, and what role do you see advocacy playing in shaping that future?As an outsider to the profession, it’s been amazing to me to see pharmacists embrace a much larger role than I initially understood it to be. There is no doubt that community pharmacies will continue to play an essential role in primary care in Canada. As a patient, first and foremost, I’m hoping that one day, I can walk into my pharmacy and easily access the services I need most. And as an Ontarian, I’m especially excited for pharmacists to one day be able to prescribe contraception. Access to birth control remains a barrier for many women in Ontario and it’s still a major gap in primary care.Can you share a success story where your advocacy efforts led to a tangible improvement in pharmacy practice?Our most recent success was the federal government’s budget commitment to expand student loan forgiveness for pharmacists who work in rural and remote areas. I believe this is going to vastly improve access to care in these communities and it’s thanks to years of advocacy by CPhA and by CAPSI.I’m also very proud of the work CPhA has done to raise the profile of drug shortages in Canada. We have a lot of work still be done, but now more than ever, governments, media and Canadians recognize the critical role that pharmacists play in navigating shortages. What strategies do you find most effective in engaging government and policy makers in discussions about pharmacy-related issues?Without a doubt, advocacy is about being able to articulate a compelling problem. Across every sector, the biggest mistake people make is to jump right to a solution. Decision makers have dozens if not hundreds of people knocking on their door on any given day, and they have to prioritize. An issue that matters to you might not be an issue that matters to them. If you can convince them that your problem will become a problem for them, you’re probably 80% of the way there. In pharmacy, we have to talk about problems that patients are facing, which then in turn affect pharmacists, not the other way around.How do you balance the interests and needs of different stakeholders within your advocacy work? How do you foster collaboration and unity among diverse stakeholders with varying priorities and goals?The adage is true: we’re always stronger together than we are apart. I believe the best way to do that is to understand and anticipate each stakeholder’s needs and motivation. Finding areas of alignment, even where they are small, can be a great starting point and communicating as transparently as possible can open many unanticipated opportunities. Even when you disagree, if the other party understands where you are coming from, you can usually find a path forward.What advice would you give to young pharmacy professionals who are passionate about advocacy and want to make a difference in the field?Start small. Be a great pharmacist. Treat every person who walks into your door as if they were the Minister of Health.One of my favourite stories comes from having a call with a ministerial staffer who started the conversation by sharing a personal pharmacy experience from the previous day. She had walked into a pharmacy to pick up a drug to take to her doctor’s office to have it administered. The pharmacist told her that had she lived in Alberta, the pharmacist could have administered it right there and then, saving her a trip to the doctor's office. Rightfully, the staffer was appalled and immediately wanted to know more about what could be done about this gap in care. She will now herself be a pharmacy advocate.Beyond this, get involved with your provincial and national association. Frontline voices matter and associations can give you some messaging that you can use if ever an elected official knocks on your door during election time. All of these little things help build strong advocacy.Can you highlight any current or upcoming initiatives that you are particularly excited about in your advocacy work?There are so many. This year, CPhA adopted a strategic plan that I’m especially excited about and we’re at the forefront over every major issue in pharmacy right now. From pharmacare to supporting the pharmacy workforce, to making sure that pharmacists can practise to their full education to help address Canada’s primary care crisis, we’re taking a strong stance. I’m also very passionate about our third-party payer strategy, which aims to bring back much needed balance between payers and pharmacists. What advice would you give to colleagues who want to participate in advocacy efforts or initiatives?Know your audience and tailor your message to that audience.Spend 80% of your time on defining the problem, 20% on presenting your solution.Advocacy is not a linear path and can take a lot of time. Adapt and adjust.Tell a good story. The best evidence usually won’t outweigh a good personal story.Get involved. Consistent and persistent messages win the race. We all have to work together.Sherif Guorgui - FIP-Community Pharmacy Section | LinkedIn

Advocacy Leader in Pharmacy Joelle Walker: ‘Advocacy is not a linear path and can take a lot of time.’

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