Saskatchewan pharmacists believe they can be a factor in the Government’s quest for a more effective and efficient delivery of health care services in this province.
The Pharmacy Association of Saskatchewan has delivered a submission to the Government of Saskatchewan’s Health Authority Review Panel, on behalf of the over 1400 pharmacists and 360 pharmacies in Saskatchewan.
Board Chair Julia Bareham says that patients can already obtain a broader range of health services, such as flu vaccinations and prescriptions for a variety of minor conditions from their local pharmacist. “Pharmacists play a key role in patient health care and they are eager to make an even greater contribution to the transformation of the health care system,” said Bareham .
Recommendations in the Association’s submission focus on:
•chronic disease management;
•protection and continued leadership of pharmacists as an integral part of a hospital patient’s health care plan in the hospital setting; and
•a sustainable funding structure that will support a significant increase in services.
Chronic conditions that could benefit from pharmacist intervention include, but are not limited to diabetes, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), depression, congestive heart failure, asthma, and hypertension. Testing for diabetes and hypertension are two examples where patients and pharmacists can be proactive in managing the patients’ conditions, and have a positive impact on physician workload.
Including pharmacists as part of a hospital patient’s health care team can result in mitigating a condition, shortening a hospital stay and minimizing hospitalization.
Pharmacists could provide more health care services such as a wider range of vaccinations, ordering lab tests and helping to manage chronic diseases. Such changes will require pharmacy and pharmacist compensation models that are commensurate with expanded roles.
Over 360 pharmacies are located in 80 Saskatchewan communities, creating a network of health care professionals. Bareham says that “we have already seen an increase in people seeking flu vaccinations from their pharmacists, which will minimize contracting the illness and minimize a greater use of the health care system. Assuming appropriate enablers are in place, such as training supports and funding, there’s no reason that pharmacists can’t do more.”
For a review of the Pharmacy Association submission, see www.skpharmacists.ca.
