Pharmacy U people

In my experience with advocacy, I have found that often policy makers have a limited understanding of how the intended and unintended consequences will impact patient care. Concepts, rules, policies, and procedures developed in a theoretical sense, without practical input, can be ineffective at best and more often detrimental.

I think we are already seeing a clear vision of where pharmacy practice is going. With Canadians visiting their pharmacists up to 10 times more frequently than any other healthcare provider, and with a growing shortage of primary care practitioners due to retirements and fewer new practitioners entering the field, we can expect to see pharmacies continue to own their place as community health hubs.

There is a time and a place for independence but also a time and a place for a functional team. I have been blessed to be thoroughly engaged in my practice, but also well engaged in the profession in many aspects. You can be a great pharmacist in your practice site in your community. But you can also share your talents within the profession and beyond.

Many stakeholders remain reluctant to embrace new roles for pharmacists. Despite this, I remain committed to advocating for the expanded role of pharmacists in healthcare, confident that continued education and collaboration will eventually lead to broader acceptance and integration.

The personal qualities and experiences that have been most instrumental in my success as an advocacy leader revolve around a deep passion for healthcare and for patients, a commitment to lifelong learning, and a genuine desire to make a difference (community pharmacy perceived as a positive force in our societies).

I think the pharmacy profession chose me as much as I chose to be a pharmacist. As I have always been interested in healthcare and patients, I think I also – as a young pharmacist – saw where and how pharmacy could make a difference for our healthcare systems, and in peoples’ lives.

Effective advocacy plays a crucial role in advancing the profession. By bringing attention to key issues, influencing policy changes, and ensuring the profession is adequately represented in healthcare discussions, advocacy leaders do in essence help shape the future of pharmacy.

As this season concludes, I am doing a recap to revisit the exceptional leaders featured throughout the series highlighting a memorable quote from their article, and also provide a reminder of the reading habits and educational tools used by those leaders.