Pharmacy Appreciation Month (PAM) is recognized annually in March to shine a spotlight on the pharmacy profession in Canada. PAM 2024 is officially underway; the theme this year is “experience the power of pharmacy,” which recognizes the ways in which pharmacy professionals across the country practise to their full scopes and meet the healthcare needs of Canadians.
In Alberta, pharmacy professionals have consistently been at the forefront of innovation in pharmacy practice. Pharmacists gained the ability to prescribe medications and administer injections in 2007, pharmacy technicians became regulated in 2012, and pharmacy teams continue to shift their focus beyond assessing prescriptions and dispensing medications to providing person-centred care.
ACPs Understanding Professionalism website showcases a number of examples of pharmacy teams emanating the tenets of having a person-centred approach to their professional service, using good judgement, collaborating, leading, having a strong set of values, and being active learners. Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians are also reminded to refer to the Code of Ethics for information about practising ethically.
This month, let’s celebrate the many ways in which pharmacy teams across the province continue to demonstrate their commitment to upholding excellence in pharmacy practice.
Patrick Zachar
ACP Council president
