Pharmacy Workforce Issues
CPhA’s efforts to address pharmacy workforce challenges.
Through the Pharmacy Workforce Wellness Initiative and with guidance from our Pharmacy Workforce Steering Committee, CPhA is working to advance pharmacy workforce planning, improve satisfaction and wellness within the pharmacy workforce and support pharmacy professionals’ entry into practice. This includes exploring the barriers and opportunities to becoming licensed in Canada as an International Pharmacy Graduate (IPG).
Pharmacy Workforce Steering Committee
A multi-stakeholder steering committee with representatives from across the pharmacy community are helping to provide CPhA with guidance and direction to move the Pharmacy Workforce Initiative forward.
Recent work
Throughout 2024, CPhA has actively engaged with the federal government and other health-care stakeholders on the topic of Human Health Resources.
As part of the Coalition for Action for Health Workers, we are contributing to a study on the future needs of health-care professionals in Canada. The study's first phase focuses on physicians, nurses, pharmacists, occupational therapists, and physiotherapists. While there's a projected surplus of occupational and physiotherapists, a shortage of pharmacists is expected, consistent with findings from the CPhA and NBPA's New Brunswick study. CPhA is collaborating with Health Canada to ensure the pharmacy section accurately reflects the current situation.
In addition, our Pharmacy Workforce Steering Committee continues to meet regularly to help guide our efforts. Current areas of focus include:
- Increasing pharmacy student enrollment, including recruiting and supporting students from underrepresented populations and underserved areas
- Increasing the pharmacy technician workforce
Project
Research study
Pharmacy Workforce Planning
CPhA and the New Brunswick Pharmacists’ Association (NBPA) partnered on a pharmacy workforce planning study in New Brunswick. The goal of the study was to understand current pharmacy workforce and service capacity and use this baseline data to forecast future pharmacy workforce demand based on changing patient and population needs, scopes of practice and service delivery.
The results of the study reveal a concerning forecast for the pharmacy workforce in New Brunswick over the next 10 years. They show that the projected need for pharmacists and technicians, including both replacement and growth need, will far surpass projected supply. An executive summary provides key findings from the study and recommendations aimed at attracting and retaining pharmacy professionals in New Brunswick.
International Pharmacy Graduates
In the spring of 2023, CPhA fielded a survey to better understand the experiences and challenges IPGs face throughout licensure in Canada. The survey findings provide insights into IPGs’ experiences, their journeys to licensure, supports they value most and their greatest challenges throughout the licensure process. CPhA also commissioned a research report that has helped to identify specific pain points within the IPG licensing process.
We look forward to presenting the results, engaging with the pharmacy community and working with our partners to better support IPGs' entry to practice.