February marks Black History Month in Canada—an important time to celebrate and recognize the contributions of Black Canadians. We must also reflect on Black health in Canada and the anti-Black racism that continues to impact our pharmacy colleagues and patients.
On this page we’ve gathered some links, information and resources to help support diversity, equity and inclusion for our Black pharmacist colleagues and the patients we serve. Happy Black History Month!
Black Pharmacy Professionals of Canada
Established in October 2023, the Black Pharmacy Professionals of Canada (BPPC) is a new national organization that aims to lead with excellence in practice amongst Black pharmacy professionals and promote equity in practice for Black pharmacy professionals and patients. Membership is open to Black pharmacy professionals in Canada.
Learn more about BPPC and follow them on social media (Instagram, LinkedIn) to meet the Black pharmacy leaders across Canada behind this new organization.
BPPC Event: "We’re Here, There and Everywhere": Black Excellence in Canadian Pharmacy
February 24, 2024 | 12:00pmET
Join the Black Pharmacy Professionals of Canada for their Black History Month 2024 virtual event where they’ll introduce the vision, mission, and values of the newly formed organization. Enjoy a dynamic panel discussion featuring Black pharmacy professionals from across Canada who are making a difference in their communities. Plus, don’t miss out on the opportunity to network and forge connections within this vibrant community! Explore the diverse career paths available for Black Canadians in the pharmacy space and celebrate the impactful work of our members.
Social media accounts follow
Listening and learning are critical steps in creating change. Here are a few social media accounts you can check out to learn more about Black health and supporting Black patients and health professionals:
- Black Pharmacy Professionals of Canada: @blackpharmacycanada (Instagram, LinkedIn)
- University of Toronto Black Pharmacy Students’ Association: @uoftbpsa (Instagram)
- University of Alberta Black Pharmacy Students’ Association: @bpsa_uofa (Instagram, Twitter, Facebook)
- Mary Adegboyega: @OreSupasta (Instagram, YouTube, Twitter)
- Black Physicians of Canada: @blackphysiciansofcanada (Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn)
- Dr. Bolanle Aina (Black pharmacist & medical writer in Winnipeg, MB): @dr.pharmabolly (Instagram)
- Moses Boachie (Black pharmacist & content creator in Quebec): @lepharmacoach (Instagram, TikTok)
- Chinelo Uddoh (Black pharmacist & digital health consultant for Deloitte in Ottawa): @a_digital_health_story (Instagram, YouTube)
- Havalee Johnson (Black internationally trained Pharmacist in Ontario): @immigrant_pharmassist (Instagram)
- Dr. Bimpe Ayeni (Black cosmetic surgeon at Southlake Regional Health Centre in Newmarket, ON): @drbimpe (Instagram, Facebook)
- Dr. Jude Obi (Black British doctor, who completed a fellowship at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto): @drjude_ (Instagram, YouTube, TikTok)
- Dr. Phyllis Pobee (Family & Cosmetic Physician, Ontario): @dr.phyllispobee (Instagram)
- Chidiebere Ibe (Medical illustrator for Black patients): @ebereillustrate (Instagram, Twitter, Facebook)
Addressing systemic bias and racism in our therapeutic content
There is a long history of systemic racism and bias in health-care education and publications. As a leading publisher of drug and therapeutic information, CPhA recognizes our responsibility and the role our content can play in ensuring equitable care.
As part of our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, CPhA’s editorial team has undertaken an extensive review of all CPhA clinical content in order to identify, assess and address instances of bias, racism or discrimination. Some of the specific initiatives that are currently underway include:
- Critically assess all content referring to race/skin colour to validate claims or update content
- Source and add images representing diverse skin colours
- Develop content around assessment of dermatologic conditions in all skin colours since the presentation can vary significantly depending on the amount of melanin present
- Establish and implement language to improve descriptions of health conditions that are biased towards white skin (e.g., changing “red man syndrome” to “vancomycin infusion reaction,” reducing or removing use of the term “erythema”)
Learn more about our efforts to address systemic bias and racism in our clinical content.
Coming soon to CPS: Dermatological Considerations in Skin of Colour
Our editors are finalizing a new chapter, Dermatological Considerations in Skin of Colour, that explores dermatologic health inequity, cultural considerations, and physiologic differences between skin colours. The chapter provides a wealth of photos and tips for patient assessment.
"There are major racial disparities in the quality of care received by patients with skin of colour presenting with dermatological conditions. This is often due to the lack of images of darker skin tones used in resources, guidelines and educational material, the lack of inclusive language used in dermatology (for example, using terms such as redness or erythema without acknowledging how they may present in skin of colour), and the lack of education for health-care providers around skin of colour. The Dermatological Considerations in Skin of Colour chapter demonstrates that CPhA is recognizing and acknowledging the racial disparities experienced by patients with skin of colour and taking action to close this knowledge gap. It is only through representation and education that we can improve the quality of care provided to patients with skin of colour."
— Afomia Gebre, member of CPhA's Editorial Advisory Committee
CPhA Pharmacy Check-in series
As part of our Pharmacy Check-in series, we’ve connected with some of our Black pharmacist colleagues to talk about diversity, creating safe spaces and why pharmacists play a key role in advocating for inclusive health care. Stay tuned throughout the month for more check-ins!
Additional tools and resources
Images
- Mind the Gap: A handbook of clinical signs in Black & Brown skin
- Skin of Colour Society
- Brown Skin Matters: Community sourced database of dermatological conditions on non-white skin
Research/Articles
- Understanding the experiences of Black Nova Scotians with community pharmacists (Canadian Pharmacists Journal)
- A focus on the health of Black people and anti-Black racism in health care in Canada (CMAJ series)
- Social determinants and inequities in health for Black Canadians: A Snapshot (Public Health Agency of Canada)
Education and webinar recordings
- Dismantling Anti-Black Racism: A Toolkit for Health Professionals (Queens University)
- Discrimination and racism in the pharmacy profession part 1: Experiences from the front line (CPhA)
- Discrimination and racism in the pharmacy profession part 2: Reflections from the sector (CPhA)
Organizations
Last updated: February 2024