Meet the Pharmacy Practice + Business Award winner for Public Protector SpiritRx Services: Seamlessly supporting patients in critical times
SpiritRx Services is an independent pharmacy owned by the seven Tribal Councils of Manitoba, representing more than 50 First Nation communities through Tribal Council Investment Group (TCIG). It provides pharmacy and medical supply services for people living in rural and remote communities in all corners of Manitoba.
Why they won
During the emergency fire evacuations in Manitoba last summer, the pharmacy team at SpiritRx provided pharmaceutical support for more than 5,000 evacuees relocated across multiple cities. Within a single day, the team mobilized onsite support, using their expanded scope of practice to provide critical assessment, prescribe necessary stat medications, and coordinate care almost every day over a six-week period. In a chaotic and challenging environment, they collaborated seamlessly with the Canadian Red Cross and the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority to ensure each evacuee received timely, compassionate care.
The team back at the pharmacy played an integral role too by preparing, refilling and arranging for the safe delivery of chronic medications. These combined efforts ensured evacuees—many of whom were dealing with immense stress and displacement—could access necessary treatments without interruption. The pharmacy team provided services at no cost to evacuees, focusing on “care before commerce” during a particularly difficult time.
Asked what they most enjoy about their work overall, the team cited their ability to make a meaningful impact on the communities they serve. Indeed they do.
- Q&A with the Spirit Rx Team
What do you enjoy the most about what you do?
The opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the communities we serve. Being community-owned means that the profits we generate are reinvested into these communities, ensuring that we not only provide essential healthcare services but also contribute to their long-term well-being. Our care-over-commerce model prioritizes meeting the patients’ needs today and exploring innovative solutions to maintain sustainability tomorrow.
We take pride in working within the health equity space, addressing the unique challenges of individuals living in remote areas, experiencing housing insecurity, struggling with addiction or managing complex medical needs. Our reputation for problem-solving makes us a trusted partner among patients and providers alike.
What is your biggest challenge?
One is balancing the increasing demands on our services with the decreasing profit margins that many pharmacies face. Like our colleagues, we are constantly working to do more with less, striving to maintain high-level care our patients expect.
In the context of distance-care, reaching patients and ensuring effective communication without face-to-face interactions can be difficult. This is further exacerbated by the reliance on outdated technologies like fax machines and paper charts, especially in remote communities where maintaining these systems can be particularly difficult. Weather conditions can further complicate our operations, affecting the timely delivery of medications and services.
Finally, navigating the regulatory landscape can be a challenge, particularly when the frameworks in place are shaped by the needs and realities of urban settings. It's important for regulations to consider the diverse contexts of patients across different regions to ensure health care remains accessible for everyone.
Is there someone in particular who mentored you, or served as a role model?
For more than 20 years, our pharmacy founder Gail Halko led and developed services tailored to meet the unique needs of patients in remote Manitoba communities. In 2021, TCIG completed the full acquisition of the pharmacy and transitioned leadership to the director of pharmacy, Dave Mullins. With guidance from our President, Dennis Meeches, and our Board of Directors (comprised of Chiefs from the 7 tribal councils), Dave has continued to advance our mission of delivering pharmacy care rooted in an Indigenous world view.
More recently, we have embraced the concept of Two-Eyed Seeing, which recognizes Indigenous Traditional Knowledge as a distinct system that complements contemporary pharmacy practices. We are excited to integrate this approach further into our care, enhancing the services we provide to our patients.
What’s your favourite way to spend time outside of work?
Our pharmacy is deeply committed to community health and advocacy, supporting initiatives like community vaccine drives, diabetes education programs and partnerships with social enterprises to support vulnerable populations. We also support cultural events, such as the Manito Ahbee Festival, fostering community engagement and connection.
On the advocacy front, our pharmacists strive to improve healthcare access for remote patients and take on leadership roles in organizations like Pharmacists Manitoba and the Canadian Pharmacists Association.
Name something you’re really good at that has nothing to do with pharmacy.
TCIG supports successful businesses through ownership of companies such as Spirit Healthcare Group and First Canadian Health and investments in Indigenous Travel and First Nations Bank of Canada. We operate our companies with an Indigenous world view, an eye on sustainability and with a strong commitment to the promise of economic reconciliation for the communities we represent.
What’s one piece of advice you’d give a young pharmacist who wants to make a difference?
Align your core beliefs and passions with your professional goals for a satisfying career.
What’s next for you?
Our ongoing goal is equitable care and meeting the pharmacy needs of people living in remote communities across Manitoba. We are committed to contributing to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Call to Action #19 by being part of the solution to improve health outcomes for Indigenous peoples. To achieve this, we are investing in innovative practice models, such as moving towards the “Pharmacist-First” workflow and investing in pharmacist-led clinics. And of course, we are constantly looking to develop creative solutions to ensure that individuals in remote areas receive the same level of service as those in urban centres.
