The role of the pharmacist is expanding to meet the needs of the patient.  Pharmacists are involved in patient care now more than ever.  The services available to patients have increased to include comprehensive medication therapy management, screening and managing disease, direct patient care for minor illnesses and expanded prescriptive authority. Talk to your pharmacist to learn about the health services he or she can offer.

Medication Therapy Management

The most common role associated with pharmacy practice is the dispensing of medication; however, pharmacists are drug therapy experts and are responsible for comprehensive medication therapy management.  Part of comprehensive medication therapy management involves patient counselling.  Pharmacists educate, advise and recommend to patients the safest and most appropriate way to take their prescription and non-prescription medications.  Pharmacists also counsel on chronic disease management and the promotion of a healthy lifestyle.  Pharmacists work together with patients to help achieve positive health outcomes.

Compliance Packaging

Compliance packaging is a wallet or card of daily medications separated by the time of day.  This type of medication packaging reminds patients to take their medications.  It also increases a patient's understanding of treatment and their condition.  Ask your pharmacist about compliance packaging as an option for you or your loved one who needs assistance to remember taking medication.

Medication Reconciliation

Patients that have been in hospital and are being discharged back into the community or into another healthcare facility are provided medication reconciliation by a pharmacist.  This process ensures the patient leaves the facility with the proper medications needed for his or her medical condition(s).

Medication Assessment

Pharmacists can review your medication profile with you and assess whether you are taking the best possible medications for your conditions.  Talk to your pharmacist for more information on medication assessment as a patient service.

Emergency Contraception

Pharmacists with additional training can prescribe emergency contraception.  For a list of pharmacies that are offering services within this expanded scope of practice click here:  Pharmacies Dispensing Post-Coital Contraception

PACT - Tobacco Cessation Services

Trained pharmacists are able to provide PACT (Partnership to Assist in the Cessation of Tobacco) tobacco cessation counselling services.  TAR or Tobacco Addiction Recovery, an affiliate of the PACT program, is focused on Sacred Aboriginal Tobacco use. Click here to learn more about the PACT and TAR Programs.

Services offered within participating pharmacies are offered at no charge to the patient.  Click here to find a PACT Professional in your area.

Prescriptive Authority

On March 3, 2010, the Honourable Don McMorris, Minister of Health, announced his intention to approve regulations and bylaws allowing pharmacists to prescribe drugs beyond emergency contraception.

Pharmacists with additional training will be able to prescribe drugs as set forth by the Saskatchewan College of Pharmacists (SCP) Summary of Amendments. Click here to view:   Prescriptive Authority: An Enhanced Roles for Pharmacists Summary-of-Amendments.

Patients are invited to visit the SCP Public Education Campaign link My Pharmacist Knows for more information about Prescriptive Authority regulations and pharmacists' essential role in the delivery of your health care.

Other Pharmacist Services

Some pharmacists have received additional training in any number of areas. In addition to the required five year undergraduate degree, many pharmacists have taken the two year Doctor of Pharmacy degree.  Also, many pharmacists have taken specialized training to be able to offer health services such as:

• Diabetes, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and other chronic disease  care management
• Anticoagulation and drug level monitoring
• Screening for high blood pressure, colon cancer, osteoporosis, high cholesterol
• Lifestyle and health and wellness promotion
• Herbal and natural health product recommendations
• Addiction management
• In-home consultations

Pharmacists offer many more patient care services.  Talk to your pharmacist about what services they have available to you.