September 2025

SEPTEMBER 2025

THE

SEPTEMBER 2025

World Pharmacists Day September 25th

World Pharmacist Day was introduced by

the

International

Pharmaceutical

Federation and has been celebrated on September

25th

each

year

opportunity

to

recognize

achievements

of

the

as

an the

pharmacy

profession in improving the health and well-being of the people we care for. This years World Pharmacist Day Theme is

Over the years, community pharmacists have evolved and expanded into greater responsibilities, leading to increased access to primary health care for Canadians.

Therefore, recognizing them as an essential and

necessary

provider

on responsibilities such as: medication reviews, ambulatory condition management, smoking

cessation

extension

and

World Pharmacists Day represents an

prescriptions,

others about

our profession’s value and potential in meeting health needs and addressing health challenges. But how have we as a profession improved over the years?

community

primary healthcare. Pharmacists have taken

“Think Health, Think Pharmacist.”

opportunity to educate

in

administration

programs,

adaptation of

renewal,

of

existing

prescribing

and

injectable

drugs

for

preventable diseases and immunization and harm reduction services.

A pharmacist with the Additional Prescribing Authorization (APA) license has the ability to assess

patients,

order

lab

tests

and

prescribe medications. APA improves access to healthcare services, certainly in areas where physician availability is limited. It allows pharmacists to utilize their expertise, contributing to better patient care and more efficient primary healthcare.

SEPTEMBER 2025

The Canadian Foundation for Pharmacy showed the increase rates for prescribing services, Comprehensive annual care plans, and their respective follow-ups in Alberta. In particular, we will zoom into trends in the fiscal year between April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2024. Alberta stands out for the steep upward trajectories of two services that are unique to the province: comprehensive annual care plans (CACPs) and additional prescribing authorization (APA).

Figure 1 Prescribing services in Alberta has increased outstandingly from 491,990 to 781,407 claims in fiscal year 2023-2024, reaching a 59% increase (a new record). These services include prescribing any schedule 1 drug, vaccine, or for ambulatory conditions. [1] Therefore, substantially proving how APA can allow pharmacists to do more for their patients by efficiently address their needs.

Figure 2 Pharmacy CACP claims went from 380,357 to 482,089 (a 27% increase) in fiscal year 20232024. [1] Therefore, giving pharmacists increased autonomy and control over their patients' care. As a result, pharmacists have a better opportunity to not only help people, but also grow as healthcare professionals.

Figure 3

CACP follow-up claims increased by 40% in 2022-2023 and by 42% in 2023-2024, and has easily surpassed two million for the first time.

It reached 2.5 million compared to 1.8 million in 2022-2023. [1] In other words, an increase of 4.7 to 5.2 follow-ups per CACP conducted by pharmacists was seen from 2022-2023 to 2023-2024. [1] Overall, this displays how primary care has become increasingly accessible to patients, due to pharmacist interventions.

Reference [1] Welds K. Service claims tell the story in Alberta - Canadian Foundation for Pharmacy [Internet]. Canadian Foundation for Pharmacy. 2024 [cited 2025 Aug 11]. Available from: https://cfpnet.ca/service-claims-tell-the-story-in-alberta/

SEPTEMBER 2025

Figure 4: Patient satisfaction with Pharmacy Primary Care Clinic

Similar trends are seen in other provinces. In a

A Meta-analysis of clinical trials showed a significant

study conducted by the Pharmacy Association

impact on patients reaching blood pressure targets.

of Nova Scotia, results showed that patients

The following results are displayed in figure 5 (blue

were highly satisfied by pharmacy primary care

being initial and green being final) [2]:

clinics. In figure 4, patients were asked to rate their satisfaction out of ten. 98% of patients responded having positive experiences and felt confidence in the ability of the pharmacist to help with their health needs. Patients also mentioned that if they needed care in the future, they will use the pharmacy care clinic again. [2]

68% (more than two-thirds) of patients with only hypertension met their target 57% (more than half) of patients with hypertension and diabetes mellitus showed a decrease of at least 5mmHg Figure 5: Proportion of patients with hypertension meting blood pressure targets

A patient says “I am extremely grateful for this service... I didn’t feel like a number here, I felt like a human. Thank you for everything. I hope this service continues. I will use it again in the future and recommend to anyone.” [2] Results show that patients are satisfied with the care they receive from pharmacy primary care clinics and are very likely to return.

Being on that [new medication], I have noticed the A1c is going down. My blood pressure is down to the lowest it had ever been . . . almost to normal.”

(Patient) [2] The theme of World Pharmacist Day, “Think Health, Think Pharmacist” is developing as patients are more comfortable seeing their pharmacist for healthcare needs and are repeatedly returning to the pharmacy care clinics.

Similarly, pharmacists

are becoming more confident in their own practice as well.

Reference [2] Levin C, Buote R, Dunbar L. Community Pharmacy Primary Care Clinics: Final Learning and Evaluation Report [Internet]. Pharmacy Association of Nova Scotia. Research Power Inc.; 2025 [cited 2025 Aug 11]. Available from: https://pans.ns.ca/sites/default/files/final_eval_report_short_-_pans_cppcc_eval_updated_final_march_13_2025_003.pdf

SEPTEMBER 2025

We’re seeking pharmacists to join the PRxOACT Initiative Do you want to be involved in shaping the future of your profession?

This is an opportunity to help your patients lower their risk of cardiovascular disease and to generate evidence of the impact your work has on patient outcomes

Why: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is still a leading cause of death in Canada, yet risk factors for CVD have been known for decades.

Pharmacists are well-positioned to help patients lower their CV risk, but have requested support to do so.

We need further evidence to show the impact your care has on patient outcomes.

What’s new: We’ve taken the latest CVD risk guidelines and evidence and built an online algorithm to provide you with: Individualized patient assessment, treatment, and education recommendations Automated documentation of care Reimbursement is provided for your time We’ve called this algorithm the

PRxOACT Care Pathway.

What does the Care Pathway look like?

Who can get involved?

Pharmacists with their APA Your pharmacy does not have to have a primary care clinic to be involved in the PRxOACT Initiative.

If you are interested in joining please contact: yazid.alhamarneh@ualberta.ca & shania.liu@ualberta.ca

SEPTEMBER 2025

Invitation to join the

D-PATH STUDY Do you find managing diabetes patients overwhelming?

Is it difficult to implement the Diabetes Canada guidelines into your practice?

We have the tool for you!

The D-PATH study, designed by a practising community pharmacist in Alberta, is aimed to determine if a community pharmacist-led program can help improve diabetes control and reduce the risk of diabetes-related complications in patients with type 2 diabetes who are not at their A1C target.

We have developed a web-based computer algorithm that guides the pharmacist through the Diabetes Canada guidelines to

provide

comprehensive

diabetes

management

and

screening for diabetes-related complications. To use the algorithm,

you

simply

click

through

the

steps

and

recommendations are provided to you. It is very simple to use, streamlines your clinical assessment of diabetes patients, and creates all required clinical documentation.

Your pharmacy will be compensated for enrolling participants in this study; this is especially helpful with the reduction in remuneration for pharmacy clinical services. In addition, the tool will automatically generate your documentation to support an initial CACP or Diabetes SMMA and follow-up visits.

How prevalent is diabetes in Alberta?

28% of Albertans live with diabetes or pre-diabetes 8% live with diagnosed diabetes Diabetes can reduce lifespan by 5 to 15 years

What do I have to do?

Participate in a short 1-hour virtual training session.

Identify patients in your pharmacy with type 2 diabetes who have not reached their A1C target: an excellent task for pharmacy students!

Obtain patient consent to participate in the study.

Complete a baseline assessment and scheduled follow-ups with the patient.

Follow the algorithm; patients will be randomized to the intervention or control groups.

SEPTEMBER 2025

How much time will this take?

The study will last 12 months; participants are enrolled for 6 months only.

Virtual training session with pharmacist: 1 hour.

Baseline participant visit: 45 minutes.

Participant follow-up visits: 10-20 minutes each (intervention group: 4 follow-ups, control group: 2 follow-ups.

Limited time needed for study documentation; algorithm produces its own documentation.

What’s in it for me?

The satisfaction of helping your patients who are living with T2DM using a simple to use and comprehensive guideline-based tool.

Compensation for your patient care. Pharmacies will be offered an honorarium of $150 per intervention participant and $50 per control participant when that participant completes the 6-month study.

The algorithm automatically generates your documentation for an initial CACP or Diabetes SMMA and follow-up visits.

Frequently Asked Questions: 1.Do I need to be a Certified Diabetes Educator? a.No, you do not need to be a CDE to participate in this study. You are required to have your additional prescribing authorization and your PRAC-ID to order laboratory investigations.

2.Do all pharmacists at a participating site need to be involved? a.No, this is not required. However, we do encourage at least 2 pharmacists to participate in the study.

3.How many patients do I have to recruit? a.We are hopeful that each participating site will recruit 20 participants.

4.What supports are available to me during the study? a.The study coordinator and the primary investigator are available to support pharmacy sites throughout the study via phone, text, or email.

How do I find out more information?

For further information or to join the study, please contact Lorena Holtz (study coordinator) at lorena.holtz@ucalgary.ca or Dr. Stephanie Gysel (principal investigator) at sgysel@ualberta.ca.

Thank you for your consideration to be a part of this pharmacist-led diabetes care initiative!

SEPTEMBER 2025

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!

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