CPhA welcomes premiers' focus on strengthening health care, highlights pharmacists' role in building a more sustainable health system

July 22, 2026 (Ottawa): As the Council of the Federation concludes in Charlottetown, the Canadian Pharmacists Association (CPhA) welcomes Canada's premiers' continued focus on improving access to health care.

As governments consider renewed investments to strengthen Canada's health system, CPhA is calling for governments to better recognize pharmacists as primary care providers and fully integrate them into the planning, funding and delivery of primary care. Doing so will improve access to care, increase health system capacity and help ensure those investments deliver the greatest possible benefit for patients.

"Canada's health system needs practical solutions that improve access to care while making better use of the health workforce already in place," said Glen Doucet, CEO, CPhA. "Recognizing pharmacists as essential primary care providers and enabling them to practise to the full extent of their education and training will improve access to care, strengthen health system capacity and support a more sustainable health system."

Millions of Canadians continue to face challenges accessing timely primary care, while health systems across the country are under growing pressure from increasing demand and workforce shortages. Building a stronger, more sustainable health system will require governments to better integrate our health workforce — including pharmacists, nurses, physicians and other regulated health professionals — to ensure Canadians receive timely, coordinated primary care.

Pharmacists already provide a broad range of primary care services, including prescribing for common conditions, chronic disease management, immunizations and preventive care.

Better integrating pharmacists into primary care planning and delivery — alongside other regulated health professionals practising to the full extent of their education and training — will help Canadians get the care they need while improving the overall performance and sustainability of the health system.

To help achieve these goals, CPhA is calling on governments to:

• Advance integrated primary care by better leveraging the full health-care team, including recognizing pharmacists as primary care providers;
• Support sustainable public funding for pharmacist-delivered care;
• Enable pharmacists to practise to the full extent of their education and training; and
• Continue investing in a strong, sustainable pharmacy workforce.

CPhA looks forward to working with governments across Canada to advance practical solutions that improve patient access, strengthen primary care and build a more sustainable health system for Canadians.

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