Meet Young Leader in Pharmacy Anushya Vijayaraghevan
Snapshot:
Education
HBSc. Biopharmaceutical Science — Medicinal Chemistry, University of Ottawa 2012
Doctor of Pharmacy, PharmD, University of Toronto 2018
Current roles
Head of Business Development — Health & Wellness, Insalata Cannabis Market
Co-Founder, Pharmacist, Apothecare Inc.
Pharmacy Owner, Whole Health Pharmacy
What excites you about being a pharmacist?
Learning new therapeutics and understanding its clinical relevance for patients is really what excites me the most about being a pharmacist. Pharmacists have so much clinical knowledge that is often underutilized. When you’re able to provide an alternate perspective on health and wellness to a patient and they are grateful for this, it really makes being in this profession worthwhile.
When you graduated, what did you envision for your future?
When I graduated, I always envisioned my future to entail entrepreneurship and creating and carving a path that is unique within pharmacy in Canada. I never knew exactly where I would end up, but I was excited for a future of innovation in pharmacy and wanting to always think outside the box.
How has your career evolved since your graduation?
My career has evolved drastically since graduation. I started my pharmacy career in community pharmacy at Shoppers Drug Mart. Simultaneously, I founded a cannabis consulting company, Apothecare Inc., with my co-founder, friend, and pharmacy school colleague, Ajay Chahal. We had been consulting in the recreational cannabis space for individuals seeking medical advice for recreationally sourced cannabis where zero healthcare oversight existed for their medical condition needs.
From here, most recently, my role evolved to heading business development for health & wellness with Insalata Cannabis Market. Insalata Cannabis Market is a unique cannabis retailer focused on the health and wellness of their consumers. Whole Health Pharmacy is working collaboratively with and has chosen Insalata as their cannabis retailer of choice for their cannabis strategy. In working with Whole Health Pharmacy, I had the opportunity for ownership and I am also currently opening 3 pharmacies in downtown Toronto with my pharmacist business partners, Ajay Chahal and James Morrison.
Was there an “aha” moment for you, when you realized the impact of the difference you’re making?
Specializing in cannabis therapeutics as a pharmacist really gave me the opportunity to engage with patients in a unique way. I have had hundreds of patients inquiring about cannabis use, telling me that their doctor won’t speak to them about it, that they can’t get any help from anyone else, etc. Being able to provide guidance to these patients and assist them, in for example, chronic pain or insomnia, really allowed me see the positive impact it can have on their quality of life
As a dynamic leader in the profession, what continues to drive you?
Innovative health strategies and personalized pharmaceutical care are what continues to drive me to provide optimal patient care. Millions of Canadians have chronic health conditions and I’m always determined to learn and provide unique approaches to health. Providing a holistic approach to care, which is not only looking at medications but overseeing nutraceuticals and cannabis therapeutics, allows for the full picture to be seen of an individual's wellbeing.
How are young leaders paving the way for changes in the pharmacy profession?
Young leaders are the future of the pharmacy profession as they provide a fresh perspective on how the pharmacy profession can be more engaged and involved in our Canadian healthcare system. Young leaders increasing awareness of clinical services that pharmacists can offer with their expanded scope of practice will really shape the pharmacy profession.
What advice would you give to new pharmacy graduates?
Always follow your passions, continuously be engaged to learn new concepts, and value those individuals around you who will support your vision for the future of pharmacy.