Expanded training for Sask. pharmacists welcomed by pharmacy association

The Pharmacy Association of Saskatchewan is in favour of pharmacists gaining the ability to substitute medications. Jacob Carr reports

The Pharmacy Association of Saskatchewan says its in support of new training that will allow pharmacists to substitute medications under certain conditions.

The association says the move will expand pharmacists’ scope and increase capacity in the healthcare system at the same time. It added, that the training which will be required for pharmacists, will be a refresher course for them.

“Well, pharmacists are actually medication specialists, so they are fully aware of substituting different medications, as the case may be. This allows it to actually take place,” Pharmacy Association of Saskatchewan CEO Michael Fougere explained.

The province says pharmacists will be able make faster adjustments in specific cases, such as supply disruptions or shortages of a prescribed drug, allowing them to prescribe an alternative.

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The Saskatchewan NDP is also in favour of the move, which has already been implemented in nine other provinces and territories across the nation.

Fougere told CTV News that the policy will certainly benefit residents in rural and remote areas who do not have a health care practitioner in their community.

“Because if you have heartburn medications that aren’t working properly and you can’t get what you need, it can be substituted right away by the pharmacist,” he added.

“Rather than going to an urban centre and finding a doctor to help you out. So, these are just ways to be able to build greater capacity.”

With the announcement being made on Aug. 19, Fougere said it is already having an impact, as many pharmacists were able to take the necessary training right away.