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

A patient walked into the pharmacy slowly, shoulders tense, eyes darting. A young Black woman, visibly distressed, clearly in need of care. I was working as a pharmacy assistant at the time, but I could feel her hesitation. When I gently asked what had kept her from seeking help earlier, she paused, then said quietly, “I didn’t think anyone would understand me. I didn’t want to be judged.”She had visited a walk-in clinic but left the clinic feeling she was not truly understood. The physician spoke over her, assuming rather than listening. She felt invisible.In that moment, I was not just observing, I was witnessing the consequences of a system that fails to focus on cultural safety. I listened. I validated. I explained her options in plain language. I connected her with the Pharmacist on duty who thankfully understood what was going on and related with her appropriately, I saw the shift: her shoulders relaxed, her voice steadied. She felt seen.That encounter reminded me why advocacy matters. Why representation matters. Why culturally competent care is not a luxury, it’s a matter of life and death. Because when people don’t feel safe, they don’t seek care. And when they don’t seek care, they suffer in silence.Economics of empowermentPharmacists are among the most accessible healthcare professionals in Canada, yet their full potential remains underutilized. Expanding their scope isn’t just good policy, it’s good economics in many ways:Efficiency in care delivery. Pharmacists managing minor ailments, chronic conditions and medication reviews reduce pressure on emergency departments and primary care, saving the system millions annually.Revenue diversification. Services like prescribing, point-of-care testing, and immunizations offer new income streams, especially vital for independent pharmacies navigating tight margins.Workforce optimization. With physician shortages and long wait times, pharmacists practicing to full scope fill critical gaps in care—quickly, safely, and cost-effectively.But these benefits are only fully realized when access is equitable. When care reaches the communities that need it most.Equity is efficacyAnother moment that shaped my perspective came during a community outreach event. A middle-aged Caribbean man approached me with persistent fatigue and unexplained weight loss. He had seen multiple providers, but each dismissed his symptoms as stress or poor diet. No one had asked about his cultural background, his family history, or the foods he ate. No one had considered that his symptoms might reflect something deeper.When I spoke with him, I asked about his upbringing, his community, and his health beliefs. That conversation led us to uncover a family history of sickle cell traits, something that had never been documented. He later told me, “You were the first person who made me feel like my story mattered.”That moment stayed with me. It reminded me that culturally competent care isn’t just about language or courtesy—it’s about clinical accuracy. When we fail to see the whole person, we miss the diagnosis. We miss the opportunity. And we risk lives.Culturally sensitive care saves lives: Patients from racialized communities often face implicit bias, language barriers, and mistrust in healthcare. Pharmacists who reflect these communities—and are trained in cultural competence—can bridge that gap.Representation drives outcomes: Black, Indigenous, and other underrepresented pharmacists bring lived experience that informs better care. Advocacy for expanded roles must include advocacy for inclusive hiring, mentorship, and leadership.Access is not just equity, it’s efficacy: Advocacy for increased access in underserved communities allows more people to benefit from timely, appropriate care. But access alone isn’t enough. Cultural competence must go beyond lip service—it is a matter of life and death. Some individuals will not seek care if they do not feel safe or understood by the provider. That’s why we must empower more racialized health professionals to lead, prescribe and educate. Their presence is not symbolic—it’s essential.Advocacy is not optionalAs interim president of the Black Pharmacy Professionals of Canada, I have seen how advocacy must be intersectional. It is not just about expanding scope; it is about expanding access to that scope. It is about dismantling credentialing barriers for internationally trained pharmacists. It’s about creating mentorship pipelines for racialized students. It’s about ensuring that the future of pharmacy reflects the communities we serve.Policy change requires pressure: Lobbying for expanded scope, fair reimbursement, and recognition of internationally trained professionals is essential. We must be at the table, not just on the menu.Data-driven impact: We must collect and share data on how expanded pharmacist roles improve outcomes in marginalized communities. This strengthens our case to policymakers and payers.Leadership matters: We need more racialized pharmacists in decision-making roles not just behind the counter, but in boardrooms, policy circles, and academic institutions.ConclusionPharmacist advocacy is not just about professional advancement; it is about transforming healthcare delivery. When pharmacists are empowered to lead, prescribe, and educate, especially in culturally sensitive ways, the entire system benefits.As an internationally trained pharmacist and advocate for equity, I believe our profession must embrace its full potential, not only for economic sustainability but for justice in care. We must ensure that culturally competent care is not a checkbox, but a cornerstone. And that begins by empowering racialized health professionals to shape the future of pharmacy.Because when care is truly inclusive, everyone wins.

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

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