Canadian Pharmacists Association
Canadian Pharmacists Association

Resource Round-up: Indigenous health

Intergenerational trauma, health-care disparities, and racism in all its forms continue to undermine the health of Indigenous patients and their trust in the health-care system. As a key entry point to our health system, the pharmacy community has an essential role to play in implementing culturally safe, patient-centered care across Canada. Here's a collection of resources to support you in your practice.

Accessible care for Indigenous Peoples

Incorporating Indigenous practices in care

Resources for inclusive care

Understanding the Indigenous experience from both sides of the pharmacy counter

DATE: Monday, June 19, 2023
TIME: 5:00-6:00pm ET

Health disparities, system inequality and racism are challenges that Indigenous patients and Indigenous pharmacy professionals continue to experience on a daily basis in Canada. With the knowledge of the clinical value of safe spaces for Indigenous patients, addressing these factors is a critical aspect in improving health outcomes. In this session, you’ll hear from a panel of Indigenous pharmacy professionals as they discuss their experiences within the pharmacy community, the role that pharmacists can play in understanding and addressing health disparities facing Indigenous patients and communities and how we can better provide culturally safe, inclusive care. Open to all members of the pharmacy community, this is the first session in CPhA’s new IDEA Dialogues—a series of empowerment panels designed to highlight the diverse voices of the pharmacy community and to explore Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Affirmation (IDEAs) within the pharmacy profession.

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Resources for implementing culturally safe practices

Supporting health concerns in Indigenous Peoples

  • First Nations Health and Polypharmacy — A study on polypharmacy in the Indigenous community and methods used to promote heathy medication use. (First Nations Health Authority)
  • Coyote’s Food Medicines — A story telling initiative using a traditional approach that can be used by health care providers to raise awareness of polypharmacy and safe medication use. (BC Medical Journal)
  • NIDA Diabetes Resources — A collection of resources to support diabetes care in Indigenous patients (National Indigenous Diabetes Association)
  • Type 2 Diabetes and Indigenous Peoples — Webinar on managing type 2 diabetes in Indigenous patients. (Diabetes Canada)
  • Mental Health and Wellness of Indigenous Youth — 5 tips on supporting the mental health and wellness of Indigenous Youth by Dr. Jaris Swidrovich. (Pharmacy Connection)
  • Supporting the Sacred Journey — A resource for health care professionals supporting First Nations families from preconception to parenting, by understanding the history and teachings surrounding the parenting journey. (Best Start Resource Centre)
  • Tobacco Wise Program — A collection of resources on smoking cessation for health care providers and Indigenous patients. (Indigenous Tobacco Program)
  • Pain and Indigenous Patients — A study outlining the representation of Indigenous Peoples and their use of pain medications in the Canadian media. (The International Indigenous Policy Journal)

Pharmacy Education & Research

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Indigenous Pharmacy Professionals of Canada

The Indigenous Pharmacy Professionals of Canada (IPPC) is an Indigenous-led association that has been established to connect and support Indigenous pharmacy professionals and help all pharmacists provide better care to Indigenous patients by creating and promoting pharmacy practice models that respect the safety, equality, strengths and teachings of the Indigenous Peoples of Canada. 

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Our Resource Round-up series gathers available resources and practice tools on important health topics to help you in your practice. This is not an exhaustive list of available resources on Indigenous health. Something missing? If you have information, tools or resources you think we should include, please let us know at practicedevelopment@pharmacists.ca.

Last updated on May 29, 2023