The significant impact of policies in the provincial budget that will diminish pharmacy revenues was abrupt and unexpected. We have heard and understand the worry, frustration and anxiety registrants are feeling.
While the Alberta Pharmacists’ Association (RxA) works with government to develop an economic path forward, ACP will continue to pursue a health environment where patients and the health system benefit from the expertise of appropriately supported pharmacists and pharmacy technicians who coordinate and take responsibility for appropriate drug therapy.
This is consistent with the path we have been forging for two decades.
We have watched cuts to pharmacy funding, the introduction of automation and centralized dispensing, and the reduction of generic prices happening around the world for over two decades. That is why, since the early 1990’s, we have been focused on developing an environment that enables pharmacists to fully use their skills to better respond to changing environments and patient needs. We will continue to work with pharmacists and pharmacy technicians to help you be as professionally prepared as possible for new opportunities that will emerge.
We will also continue to stress in our discussions with government that policies need to support accessibility, quality, and sustainability for both the health system AND our registrants.
Two requests
- Help us help you – If you have practice tips for more effective patient care, examples of how you are modifying your practice to do more with less, or have had success with a new program or idea, let us know so we can pass it on to other practitioners. The more we can work together and the less reinventing of wheels we can do, the better. Talk to your pharmacy practice consultant or email your ideas to karen.mills@pharmacists.ab.ca.
- Support your associations – Become a member and work with them to build a unified presence for your profession. They have access to the big picture, have put in the efforts to negotiate and advocate on your behalf, and can coordinate efforts so that the effect is more powerful than small cluster groups presenting uncoordinated messaging.
The Alberta Pharmacists’ Association (RxA) is pharmacists’ voice for economic and advocacy issues. The Pharmacy Technician Society of Alberta (PTSA) represents technicians. We fully support their efforts and continue to work together.
Tools to help the practice of …
Pharmacists
- Additional prescribing authorization
- Administration of drugs by injection
- Ordering lab tests
Pharmacy technicians
- Steps to regulation
Pharmacy teams
- Chat, Check and Chart
- Systems Approach to Quality Assurance
- Standards of Practice for Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians
- Standards for the Operation of Licensed Pharmacies
