Pharmacists’ Expanded Scope of Practice in Canada as of Oct 2014

Source: Canadian Pharmacists Association

Pharmacist-led Minor Ailment Assessment Service

Advantages

• Faster access to care and treatment

• Faster access to care and treatment

Plan

Mem

ber B

enefi

ts

• Appointment required to see family physician (absenteeism if during work hours)

• Avg wait time for a family physician for non-urgent care is over 3 weeks (urgent 1.35 days)

• 15% of Canadians 12+ don’t have a family physician• Pharmacy offers convenient walk-in access to care

Pharmacists as Solution

• Quicker resolution of symptoms

• Quicker resolution of symptoms

Minor Ailments are “common” or “uncomplicated conditions” that can often be treated with pharmacists-led assessments resulting in recommendation for over the counter (OTC) product or prescription medication. Estimated 15% of physician visits are for minor ailments

Minor Ailments are a contributing

factor to absenteeism

Some studies suggest that cost of

presenteeism is even higher

Employees often make walk-in or

doctor appointments

during work hours

If symptoms don’t resolve, can lead to absenteeism

and presenteeism and more

expensive therapy

• Pharmacists process includes monitoring and follow-up with patient to track symptoms

• Data from Scotland shows 68% to 95% symptom resolution with Pharmacists’ as first point of contact

• Lower “re-consultation” rates with Pharmacists (2.4%) vs 3.8% for physicians

• Pharmacists can suggest an alternate treatment if initial treatment not successful

Pharmacist-led Medication Review Service

Prevent Costly Adverse Drug Reactions

Improve Medication Adherence = Better Health

Employees Engagement in Health

Reduce Drug Interactions

Reduce Side Effects

Identify Duplication of

Therapy

Changes to Therapy

Role of Medications

Improved Understanding

Patients’ Need for Service

Interactions between prescription, OTC and natural health products are commonly detected during a Medication Review

During a Medication Review, pharmacist can recommend change in therapy or adapt the prescription (lower dose etc)

Pharmacist often recommend discontinuation of duplicate or unsafe medications or recommend generic alternatives

In a recent survey, 1 in 2 Canadians said their pharmacist made at least one medication related intervention as a result of a medication review

In the same survey, 91% had a better sense of medication’s role in health management

83% found it easier to remember how to take medications

In a recent survey, 2 in 3 (67%) of patients showed an improvement in understanding of their medications as a result of a medication review

27% of Canadians want to have a medication review on annual basis

Reduce Risk of Complications

Adverse drug reactions can result in costly hospitalizations and absenteeism plus lead to added cost of complications

One-on-one consultation between a pharmacist and an individual to assess whether medications are taken as prescribed and to addresses any problems that may prevent safe and effective medication use

BENEFITS OF MEDICATION REVIEWS

Potential benefits driven by Medication Reviews:

reduce short- and long-term disability

Avoid cost of additional medications

reduce absenteeism

Questions?