Taking stock of 2025, refilling the vision for 2026

Pharmacy has always been about more than medicines; it is about people and service. I think of the pharmacist who stays late to reassure a worried parent when there is a back order of a critical medication, or the internationally trained pharmacist who dreams of practicing in Canada but faces barriers and cannot afford the process. These are the human stories behind the headlines of shortages, expanded scope, and the daily realities of care.And just as we count inventory—regularly checking what is on the shelf, what is running low, and what needs to be reordered—we must do the same for our profession. As 2025 closes, it is time to take stock of the lessons we have learned and refill the vision for 2026.Lessons from 2025: What we have countedThe reality of shortages: both pharmacists and medicinesThis year, shortages have defined much of the conversation in pharmacy. Not only have we faced a shortage of pharmacists, but also persistent drug shortages that ripple through patient care. I recall a hospital pharmacist telling me about the heartbreak of explaining to a patient why their usual medication was not available and scrambling to find alternatives. These moments are not just logistical they are deeply human, affecting trust, continuity, and outcomes.In my work at HealthPRO Canada, coordinating product quality and product concerns, I see firsthand how fragile supply chains can be. A single supply disruption can mean a critical drug is suddenly unavailable nationwide. Each shortage forces pharmacists to adapt quickly, balancing patient safety with limited options. The lesson is clear: shortages, whether of people or products are not abstract challenges. They are lived realities that demand systemic solutions.The power of expanded scope.Despite these challenges, 2025 highlighted the immense value of pharmacists’ expanded scope especially in Ontario and other provinces like Saskatchewan. I remember visiting a community pharmacy in Ontario where a patient walked in with a minor ailment. Instead of waiting weeks to see a doctor, they received care on the spot. The relief on that patient’s face said it all. Expanded scope is not just policy, it is lived reality, and it’s saving time, reducing strain on the system, and building trust in pharmacy as frontline care.The resilience of community.Through mentorship programs, advocacy campaigns, and everyday acts of kindness, pharmacists leaned on each other this year. At Black Pharmacy Professionals of Canada(BPPC), I have seen how community sustains resilience. When systems falter, whether through workforce gaps or drug shortages, it is the bonds between professionals that keep hope alive.Opportunities for 2026: What we must refillWorkforce innovationWe need creative solutions to recruit and retain pharmacists. This means flexible scheduling, wellness supports, and recognition of the value pharmacists bring. Policy alignmentExpanded scope must be matched with sustainable funding. Pharmacists cannot continue to shoulder more responsibility without the resources to deliver care effectively. Advocacy in 2026 must focus on aligning policy with practice.Addressing drug shortagesDrug shortages must be treated as a national priority. At HealthPRO Canada, I have seen how collaboration across suppliers, clinicians, and pharmacists can mitigate risks but we need stronger systems to anticipate shortages, diversify supply chains, and support pharmacists with clear guidance when substitutions are necessary. Patients deserve reliability, and pharmacists deserve the tools to deliver it. Kudos must go to the Canadian Pharmacists Association for always putting out resources to help Pharmacists navigate drug shortages.Pathways for international pharmacy graduatesInternational Pharmacy Graduates can be part of the solution to its workforce shortage: skilled pharmacists ready to serve. Streamlining licensure, providing mentorship, and removing unnecessary barriers will strengthen the workforce and enrich the profession with diverse perspectives.Leadership and visionPharmacy needs more leaders who can articulate a clear vision for the future, leaders who inspire, advocate, and build bridges. At Black Pharmacy Professionals of Canada (BPPC), we are committed to nurturing that leadership, ensuring that our profession evolves with purpose.Ending with gratitudeAs we close out 2025, I want to pause and thank the readers, colleagues and patients who make pharmacy more than a profession, but a community. Your resilience, your trust, and your voices have shaped the lessons of this year and will inspire the opportunities of 2026. Gratitude is the one item in our inventory that never runs out. And as we refill the vision for the year ahead, I am grateful to walk this journey with you.Do not forget to spend time with friends and family this yuletide season for a very well deserving refresh, so that you can be well energized to help even more patients in 2026.Until next time, I am rooting for your health, success and wholeness and do have a very Merry Christmas and I wish you a very prosperous New Year.

Taking stock of 2025, refilling the vision for 2026

Register for free access or login.

More Blog Posts In This Series

Canada’s pharmacist shortage is growing and the solution is already here

Why lobbying for expanded roles benefits both public health and pharmacy economics

What is your why? Rediscovering purpose in the practice of pharmacy

Blog Author

Kenneth Etokakpan

Related Topics