CPhA seeks pharmacist input to support expanding sexual and reproductive health resources for underserved populations

The Canadian Pharmacists Association (CPhA) is continuing to support pharmacists in delivering inclusive Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) care. Building on the success of its 2023 toolkit designed to enhance pharmacists’ capacity to provide contraception and medication abortion services to underserved populations, CPhA is developing 2 new toolkits targeting the specific needs of transgender, gender-diverse, Indigenous and Two-Spirit communities.

Built on community engagement

To ensure that the toolkits reflect the lived experiences and care needs of the populations they aim to serve, CPhA is conducting focus groups with pharmacists and facilitating online communities with patients. These engagements involve pharmacists already providing SRH care to these populations, as well as transgender, gender-diverse, Indigenous, and Two-Spirit individuals sharing their own care experiences and insights.

Expanding access through evidence-based toolkits

In partnership with the Contraception and Abortion Research Team (CART) at the University of British Columbia, CPhA will create an open-access educational toolkit focused on the SRH needs of transgender and gender-diverse individuals. The toolkit will feature accessible infographics, educational videos and practice-oriented resources—available in English and French—to equip pharmacists with the knowledge and skills to deliver gender-affirming care and reduce health care avoidance due to provider knowledge gaps.

Simultaneously, CPhA will partner with the Indigenous Pharmacy Professionals of Canada (IPPC) to co-develop a toolkit for pharmacists designed to support the delivery of SRH care to Indigenous and Two-Spirit patients. This toolkit will include accredited training, practice tools and patient-facing resources, with translations of patient materials into Indigenous languages to support broader accessibility. Emphasizing culturally safe care, the project will cover topics such as contraception, abortion, fertility and navigation of programs like the Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) program.

Continuing CPhA’s leadership in SRH equity

These new initiatives build on CPhA’s ongoing commitment to advancing equitable access to SRH care. The original toolkit—launched in late 2023 in collaboration with CART and funded through the same federal program—equipped pharmacists with resources such as microlearning videos, prescribing algorithms and patient handouts to address barriers to contraception and abortion services. With pharmacists playing an increasingly prominent role in primary care, these new toolkits will further empower them to deliver comprehensive, inclusive care across Canada.

Together, these projects reaffirm CPhA’s leadership in SRH innovation and its dedication to meeting the needs of underserved communities.