The problems in health may be old, but the Minister proposed some new solutions in a recent speech. There were many takeaways for pharmacy.
On May 24, Health Minister Fred Horne was the inaugural speaker in the Health Policy Speaker Series hosted by Alberta Innovates Health Solutions and the Institute of Health Economics. In his address, the Minister outlined what he saw as the challenges facing healthcare in Alberta. He then went on to outline his proposals for providing better care, better outcomes, and better value.
Key highlights for pharmacy
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Minister’s proposals |
What it means for you |
Resources to help you |
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Have all Albertans enrolled with a primary care delivery team near their home community within the next three years. |
Make sure your “team player” skills and tools are ready to go.
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Standard 11 (prescribing), Standards of Practice for Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians
Prescribing algorithm – adapting a prescription
Prescription adaptation notification form
Transition Times: The Communications Issue
Pharmacy Connection
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Use the skills of Alberta’s health providers to the top of their scope and ensure these skills are maximized through effective team delivery of health care. |
Keep your skills up to date so you are ready to practice to the full scope open to your profession.
Maximize your team’s efficiency and effectiveness.
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Prescription adaptation guide
Additional prescribing authorization information
Injecting authorization information
Pharmacy technician regulation information
LEAN management tool
The Systems Approach to Quality Assurance program
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Target dollars where they are most needed: early childhood development, wellness and disease prevention and chronic disease management.
Reduce spending on low value interventions and redesign pathways, especially for people with chronic conditions, to avoid unnecessary hospital admissions.
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Make wellness a focus in your pharmacy to prevent health problems.
Polish up your assessment skills so you can identify patient health problems early on.
Consider pursuing a certification or deepening your expertise in a specific area.
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Chat, check and chart tool
CPD planning and log |
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Use the best available evidence to make decisions about what services we provide, how they are funded, and what best clinical practices will be expected.
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Use, and document, evidence for your decision making. |
Standard 18 and Appendix A, Standards of Practice for Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians
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Implement new funding and compensation models to target resources where they are most needed and most effective.
Develop Pharmacare – will keep drugs affordable and target public spending where it’s most needed. Pharmacare must recognize, and pay for, the important professional services from pharmacists.
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Be prepared to provide evidence of the ways in which your skills and knowledge benefit your patients and the health system.
Support the organizations that advocate and negotiate on your behalf.
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Alberta Pharmacists’ Association (RxA)
Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacists – Alberta Branch
Canadian Pharmacists Association |
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Be more transparent in reporting to Albertans. Measure and report with a focus on outcomes, not on activity.
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Plan for, and be prepared to report on, outcomes for your patients. |
Pharmacy care plan templates from NAPRA |
