MSP Member Update Vol. 4 No. 2
Jan 9, 2006

In This Issue:

A. Federal Election Speaking Points

B. The 2006 Annual Pharmacy Conference

A. Federal Election January 23rd, 2006

As the federal election heads into high gear you may find yourself meeting a candidate seeking office. Regardless of the candidate’s political party, this presents an opportunity to discuss issues that are important to the profession. The federal government is an important stakeholder in the Canadian Health Care system and the opportunity to influence decision makers should be embraced.

The Government Relations Committee has developed 5 themes for you to consider should a candidate in the federal election appear at your door or your dispensary. Use your own examples to support these themes.

1) Pharmacists are prescription drug experts. Pharmacists have more training in drug therapy than any other health professional. Pharmacists are trained to understand the chemical make-up of prescription drugs, their effects and how medications interact with one another and with their patients.

2) The rising costs of prescription drugs is a topic which garners significant debate. The rising costs are a product of pricing and increased utilization. The pricing of drugs is clearly important; however greater attention must be given to the utilization - specifically utilization error.

2.1) The three most typical examples of utilization error are:

· under use – therapies that could make a difference are not applied;

· overuse – therapies that do not work are applied;

· misuse – therapies that could make a difference are misapplied.

3) Effective medication management must become a reality. By more fully involving pharmacists, improvements can be made to the efficiency and effectiveness of drug therapy. This will reduce costs and enhance patient care.

4) The Commission on the Future of Health Care in Canada (the Romanow Report) recommends that pharmacists assume a larger role in the health care system. Recommendation 39 of the Report on the Future of Health Care in Canada indicates:

“A new program on medication management should be established to assist Canadians with chronic and some life-threatening illnesses. The program should be integrated with primary health care approaches across the country”

In support of this recommendation Romanow notes the following:

“Part of that management would be the effective use of prescription drugs and other medications.

It also means that pharmacists can play an increasingly important role as part of the primary health care team, working with patients to ensure they are using medications appropriately and providing information to both physicians and patients, monitor patients’ use of drugs and provide better information and communication on prescription drugs.”

5) Compensation models must support pharmacists providing these professional services.

B. The 2006 Annual Pharmacy Conference

The 2006 Annual Pharmacy Conference planning is well underway. For more information regarding the conference check out the website at www.mbpharmacyconference.com.

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