Transforming
Primary Care in Canada

The power within: Harnessing pharmacists' potential for a stronger primary care system—A pharmacy student's experience at the Transforming Primary Care in Canada summit

Alyssa Watkins, PharmD(candidate), Memorial University of Newfoundland

Primary care providers can be seen as integral components of an engine, each contributing to the advancement and efficiency of health care. Just as an engine is central to a vehicle's performance, primary health care is essential to the overall health and well-being of a community. It serves as the driving force behind positive patient outcomes, ensuring that foundational health needs are met and supporting a resilient and sustainable path towards wellness.

Within this engine, the various professional roles work together, much like the components of a well-tuned machine.
Pharmacists play a vital role in this system. However, their position as primary care providers is often underrecognized. When primary health care functions optimally, it enhances community resilience against health challenges, akin to how a well-maintained engine ensures a smooth and reliable journey. Attending the Transforming Primary Care Summit provided a valuable opportunity to explore how pharmacists can more effectively contribute to this journey.

The Summit brought together pharmacists, government officials, and other stakeholders to discuss the role of pharmacists in primary care in  Canada. The Canadian Pharmacists Association (CPhA) concluded the summit by issuing several recommendations, including: "Governments, regulators, and pharmacy groups should collaborate to ensure all pharmacists can work to their full education, ensuring that all Canadians have access to a comprehensive range of services close to home."

These recommendations resonated deeply with me, particularly after my recent Advanced Practical Placement Experience in downtown Halifax, which was a part of my final year of the Entry-to-Practice Doctor of Pharmacy program at Memorial University. Having spent eight weeks in a different province and reflecting on the summit's discussions, the importance of these needed changes became more evident. Coming from a rural community in Newfoundland and Labrador and having observed health-care gaps across various regions, I recognize the critical role pharmacists can play in bridging these gaps. Nova Scotia is leading by example, utilizing pharmacists to their full scope—empowering them to assess and prescribe for conditions such as otitis media, sinusitis, and Group A strep, as well as to order and interpret lab work and diagnose diabetes and hypertension.

The Summit opened my eyes to so many ideas through presentations and discussions, but my biggest takeaway was the emphasis on advocacy. Pharmacists are well-positioned to drive progress in primary care, and by advocating effectively with governments, regulators, and pharmacy groups, we can extend the reach and impact of our health-care engine. This advocacy is essential for determining the future trajectory and success of primary care systems.

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Alyssa Watkins was the pharmacy student winner of CPhA’s Win a Trip to the Summit Contest. Take a look at some of the other incredible submissions we received on our website.

Alyssa is a passionate soon-to-be pharmacist excited to embark on a career in primary care. She is a 5th year entry-to-practice PharmD student with a diverse background in team sports and volunteering. Her unique path to becoming a pharmacist has given her a deep appreciation for each patient as a whole and highlighted the importance of collaboration amongst her peers.  Alyssa looks forward to entering the workforce and bringing these skills to improve health outcomes in her community.