Canadian Pharmacists Association welcomes inclusion of pharmacist on pharmacare committee of experts

November 14, 2024 (Ottawa): The Canadian Pharmacists Association (CPhA) is thrilled to see that a pharmacist has been named to the committee of experts tasked with guiding the implementation of national pharmacare. The appointment marks a pivotal step toward building a pharmacare system that will serve Canadians effectively and sustainably.

Amy Lamb, Executive Director of the Indigenous Pharmacy Professionals of Canada (IPPC), brings both front-line experience and Indigenous leadership to this role. Her patient care knowledge and direct experience navigating drug plans, including the Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB), will bring a unique perspective to the committee, ensuring pharmacare is inclusive, responsive, and truly patient-centered.

Since the federal pharmacare legislation was introduced earlier this year, CPhA has strongly advocated for including pharmacists in the development and implementation of its pharmacare plan. This included calls for the inclusion of a pharmacist on the committee of experts in our appearances before parliamentary committees and in countless meetings with MPs, Senators and other officials. 

“Pharmacists are the backbone of drug accessibility and medication management,” said Glen Doucet, CEO of CPhA. “Appointing a pharmacist to the committee is a significant acknowledgment of the unique skills pharmacists bring—from ensuring safe, effective medication use to guiding patients through the complexities of drug plans. Without pharmacists, there simply is no pharmacare.”

As the Government moves forward in its negotiations with the provinces and territories and toward implementation, CPhA is committed to working with Health Canada and our provincial and territorial colleagues to make sure we get the best outcomes for our patients.

About the Canadian Pharmacists Association

The Canadian Pharmacists Association (CPhA) is the uniting national voice of pharmacy and the pharmacist profession in Canada. As pharmacists undertake an enhanced role in the delivery of health care services, CPhA ensures that the profession is recognized as a national leader in health care, influencing the policies, programs, budgets and initiatives affecting the profession and the health of Canadians. 

For more information, please contact:

Tyler Gogo
Senior Manager, Communications
Canadian Pharmacists Association
tgogo@pharmacists.ca   
613-293-7223