Guideline Update
Hypertension Canada’s 2025 primary-care guideline offers a refreshed, streamlined approach to help clinicians re-establish strong blood-pressure control across Canada and it brings many opportunities for pharmacists to lead meaningful change.
Key updates include:
Treatment thresholds:
All adults with BP ≥ 140/90 mm Hg
Adults with systolic 130–139 mm Hg
who are at high cardiovascular risk
Treatment target: single systolic BP target < 130 mmHg for most adults
First line therapy: low-dose combination therapy (single pill if possible) using two of the
following:
ACE inhibitors or ARBs
Thiazide/thiazide like diuretics
Long acting dihydropyridine CCBs
In addition, these guidelines are accompanied by updated patient resources on blood pressure management (see below) and click this link to access the patient resource
Diabetes Awareness Month
Honouring the Vital Role of Alberta Pharmacists
Did you know?
Diabetes affects millions of Canadians, and the number continues to rise each year
Many individuals live with diabetes or pre-diabetes without knowing it early detection remains one of the most powerful tools for prevention. People living with diabetes face a heightened risk of cardiovascular disease, kidney impairment, nerve damage, and vision loss
The emotional burden is significant: diabetes is associated with increased rates of stress, burnout, and depression
Why This Matters
November marked Diabetes Awareness Month, a critical reminder that diabetes remains one of the most pressing public health challenges in Canada. Across the country, one in three Canadians is living with diabetes or pre-diabetes These conditions carry profound impacts on daily life, long-term health outcomes, and overall well-being.
As frontline health professionals and medication experts, pharmacists are uniquely positioned to identify early risk, optimize therapy, and support long-term self-management
Your Advantage as Pharmacists in Alberta Pharmacists in Alberta have been leaders in innovative diabetes care. Thanks to advanced scope prescribing, ordering labs, adapting therapy, and implementing evidence-based interventions pharmacists in this province continue to shape high-quality chronic disease management
DECEMBER 2025
Your Unique Opportunity
Pharmacists in Alberta have been leaders in innovative diabetes care Thanks to advanced scope prescribing, ordering labs, adapting therapy, and implementing evidence-based lifestyle interventions pharmacists in this province continue to shape high-quality chronic disease management.
Your everyday impact includes:
Screening using validated tools like the CANRISK questionnaire
Initiating and adjusting therapy, including antihyperglycemics and cardioprotective agents
Ordering and interpreting labs, including A1C, lipids, and renal function
Providing personalized lifestyle coaching to support sustainable behaviour change
Reducing therapeutic inertia and closing care gaps
Coordinating care with primary care teams and specialists
Evidence from practice-based research in Alberta has repeatedly shown that pharmacist-directed interventions can achieve meaningful reductions in A1C and improved clinical outcomes, reinforcing your essential role in chronic disease care.
Thank You
Your expertise, compassion, and commitment make an extraordinary difference in the lives of people living with diabetes.
Your work is essential Your impact is measurable. And your leadership continues to shape the future of diabetes care in Alberta
Keep leading the way your patients depend on it.
Join the PREPARED Study
We are excited to invite pharmacies to participate in a research study aimed at improving access to point-of-care testing for individuals experiencing respiratory illness.
The Department of Family Medicine at the University of Calgary has launched PREPARED:
Participating pharmacies will play a key role in supporting timely diagnosis and management of respiratory illnesses by helping patients access testing directly in the pharmacy This can enhance patient care, guide treatment decisions, and strengthen your pharmacy’s role in community-based healthcare during peak cold and flu seasons.
Participating pharmacies will:
• Screen patients aged 5 years and older who present with at least two respiratory symptoms that have developed within the past 7 days.
• Obtain informed consent and collect basic demographic information.
• Perform testing, which includes obtaining nasopharyngeal swabs for a multi pathogen rapid test and a second swab for PCR analysis.
All supplies and training will be provided.
Pharmacies will receive $40 compensation per participant enrolled.
If your pharmacy is interested in becoming a PREPARED testing site, we’d love to hear from you!
Email: prepared@ucalgary ca
Patientswithkidneydiseaseandother conditions(notondialysisortransplant)
Caregivers
Healthcareproviders,decision-makers,and administratorsinprimarycare,nephrology, andalliedhealthcaresettings
15-minuteonlinesurvey
Youwillreceivea$25giftcard
Studies: Call for Ideas
Have you noticed something interesting, or had a question come up in practice and thought that would make a great research question? Are you currently recruiting participants for an ongoing study?
We are always looking for ways that we can help YOU turn your questions into research studies or provide you with assistance with your ongoing endeavors. Please email us at rxexcell@ualberta.ca with any ideas or requests, and we’ll work with you to make it a reality!