National benchmark
for pharmacy practice and the Pharmacists CAN campaign
Leveraging pharmacists’ training to meet patient needs in Canada
Pharmacists in Canada complete years of rigorous education and clinical training, earning a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree and gaining the skills to assess, prescribe, administer vaccines, interpret lab results and much more.
However, while they’re educated to deliver a wide range of essential front-line clinical services, pharmacists in many jurisdictions are still held back by outdated regulations and limited scopes of practice.
To leverage pharmacists’ full education so they can meet patient needs, CPhA has launched a two-part campaign to empower pharmacists to do what they’re trained to do:
National Benchmark for Pharmacy Practice
A first-of-its-kind reference that outlines the health-care services pharmacists are educated to provide across five key areas of practice.
Advocacy Campaign
A public advocacy campaign launching this fall to rally Canadians and decision makers in support of fully enabling pharmacists across the country.
Coming soon
Together, these efforts aim to unlock pharmacists’ full potential to meet patient needs and ease the strain on Canada’s health system.
Pharmacists: Get involved!
As a pharmacist, you play a crucial role in demonstrating the value of full-scope practice — here’s how you can get involved in the movement to empower our profession:
- Explore the Benchmark to review the full range of services pharmacists are educated and trained to provide.
- Share the Benchmark with colleagues, professional networks and your community to build awareness of pharmacists’ capabilities. Encourage other health-care professionals you work with to learn more about this initiative and to support the movement.
- Prepare patient stories and examples that illustrate the impact of practicing to full scope — these will be powerful during the public campaign. Email us at socialmedia@pharmacists.ca if you have any stories to share.
- Engage when Pharmacists CAN launches by amplifying campaign messages, participating in advocacy activities and encouraging your patients to support the cause.
- Add your voice to calls for legislative and regulatory change that enable pharmacists to practice to the full extent of their education. The Pharmacists CAN website has templates that you can use to contact your provincial and/or federal representative.
The National Benchmark for Pharmacy Practice has been endorsed by the Association of Faculties of Pharmacy of Canada (AFPC).
