MSP Member Update Vol. 10 No. 5
Feb. 8, 2011

PLEASE NOTE – This message is being re-sent due to formatting issues on the original Communication that was sent on February 7, 2011

Mark Your Calendar
The 2011 Annual Manitoba Pharmacy Conference
April 15th, 16th, and 17th, 2011
 The Delta Hotel, Winnipeg

In This Issue:                                         Pharmacist Awareness Week
                                                                            March 6 - 12, 2011

The Professional Relations Committee is pleased to announce that the Honorable Theresa Oswald, Minister of Health, has proclaimed March 6 – 12, 2011 Pharmacist Awareness Week. This year’s theme is Pharmacist’s Advice: helpful with every dose and is an opportunity to remind your patients of the important role you play in managing their health.

This year is different – hire a student!

For the first time ever, you can hire a student volunteer to manage your PAW event for you.  We understand the challenges associated with looking after your patients and trying to plan a PAW activity. Despite your best intentions, you just don’t have the time.  For that reason, we have collaborated with CAPSI and the Faculty of Pharmacy students who are willing and eager to help you plan and execute a PAW Event.  We currently have over 70 students signed up and ready to volunteer!  Rural placements are available. 
 
Where to start?

Student schedules are flexible and the booking process is easy; simply email Sara Smith, second year Pharmacy student, at smitty4321@hotmail.com or call her at 204-415-0537.  Deadline to book is February 14th.  Student volunteers and the pharmacist they are working with during PAW are required to sign a Student Undertaking form.  This form, along with additional tips on running a successful PAW event, is available on the MSP website at http://www.msp.mb.ca/files/events/volunteer_students_work_agreement_and_tips_2011(2).pdf.
In lieu of payment, students will be accepting donations to the MS Society and an official tax receipt will be provided to the donor pharmacy.  The minimum donation required is $150.  For rural placements, arrangements to cover travel costs can be made directly with the student.

The students are graciously donating their time…the money is going to a great cause…and you get a tax receipt.  Wow!

What is a PAW Event?

Finding the time to run a PAW event can be a big challenge; and the second biggest challenge can be trying to determine what type of event to run.  For this reason the PAW Subcommittee has developed four “ready to go” PAW programs that you can choose from.  Your assigned students can manage the program for you and also offer ideas that can be customized to your pharmacy and alleviate most of the legwork for your pharmacy team.  The students will provide brochures and other necessary reference materials.

These four programs are:

1. Manitoba Medications Return Program (MMRP) – this is a new program whose purpose is to recover unused or expired drugs before they are disposed of in the garbage or poured down sewers or drains.  While many pharmacies already offer a similar service, the most important difference for you is that this program is now paid for by the pharmaceutical industry.  For more information please visit www.medicationsreturn.ca.
   
   
2. Smoking Cessation – This year has been an important year for Manitoba Pharmacists in the area of smoking cessation.   Pharmacists are on the front line in dealing with this health issue and are assuming an expanded role in helping their patients quit smoking.  MSP, along with CPhA and Health Canada’s Tobacco Control Program, are offering a Q.U.I.T. (Quit Using and Inhaling Tobacco) Continuing Education program on May 5th.  Students will help to promote the pharmacist’s expanded role in this area.
   
   
3. Cough and Cold – in regards to over the counter medicine, this may be the area where pharmacists give the most advice to their patients on a daily basis.  Students will promote the role of the pharmacist in this important area.
   
   
4. Safe to Ask – using med cards provided by MSP, students will help to organize all of a patient’s medications onto a card that they can carry with them.  Students will be promoting the role of the pharmacist in managing medication profiles, and also stressing to the patient the importance of knowing their medications.  

 If you have your own ideas for a PAW event, please do not hesitate to discuss these with the students.

What can I do to make my event a success?
There are many things you can do to make your PAW event a success.  These include:

1. Take advantage of complimentary pre-printed materials
2. Set up an in-store display – PAW posters are available
3. Advertise your event prior to PAW.  Consider using: 
   
   
   1.  a message on the prescription receipt
   2.  bag stuffers
   3.  fax out to doctors and clinics  
   4.  a message on your telephone answering machine or interactive voice response
   5.  in store announcements
   6.  posters
   7.  website
   8.  Tell patients in person when they visit your pharmacy

Help us celebrate your accomplishments!

We are asking Manitoba Pharmacists to tell us about their PAW event. Your success story and collaboration with a student just might be the catalyst for bigger change. We want to share your experience with colleagues and inspire others to strive for excellence.

To submit a story please mail, fax or email your submission to:

The Manitoba Society of Pharmacists
202 - 90 Garry Street
Winnipeg, MB R3C 4H1
Fax: (204) 956-6686
Email: info@msp.mb.ca

We wish you a successful Pharmacist Awareness Week.

Regards,

Jeffrey Uhl, Chair
PAW Subcommittee
Professional Relations Committee
Manitoba Society of Pharmacists