Canadian Pharmacists Association
Canadian Pharmacists Association

CPO Conversations

Welcome to CPO Conversations! Each month, I’ll be using this space to share my thoughts and experiences on key topics and issues facing pharmacy and health care. I invite you to join me on this journey as I increase my awareness and understanding of the lived experiences of pharmacy professionals in Canada with the goal of helping to shape the future of our profession. Let’s listen, discover and grow together.

Daniel Paes Signature

Danielle Paes
Dr. Danielle Paes
Chief Pharmacist Officer

On embracing growth and potential
On embracing growth and potential

Hello, 2025! The start of a new year often brings a renewed sense of hope and an opportunity to press “refresh” on our browsers or “restart” our operating systems (I love a good analogy!). It’s a time to leave behind what no longer serves us and embrace a fresh start.

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On pharmacists and primary care
On pharmacists and primary care

It’s fall, which means that community pharmacies are buzzing with activity. The phones are ringing non-stop, faxes are coming in faster than you can get to them, there’s a growing line of patients waiting to drop off prescriptions, pick up medications or ask questions. Somewhere in the middle of it all, you’re contacting prescribers, managing drug orders, reconciling claims, counselling on new prescriptions and providing assessments for common ailments or administering vaccinations… and the list of “to dos” goes on and on. Sound familiar?

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On our new direction
On our new direction

It’s good to be back! It’s been a year since I paused my work at CPhA to focus my attention on my family. It was a privilege to be able to fully embrace parenthood in all it’s glory—the fun, messy, challenging, exhausting and yet incredibly rewarding rollercoaster ride that it is.

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On embracing change
On embracing change

They say that the only constant in life is change. Those words are resonating with me more than usual these days. When I first started writing this blog, we were awaiting the arrival of our second child. As it happens, he surprised us with an early entrance so I’m finishing this piece now as a mother of two!

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On Pharmacy Appreciation Month
On Pharmacy Appreciation Month

It’s been 3 years since the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO). When I reflect on where pharmacy was in 2019 compared to where we are now, there are some very clear markers of our professional advancement.

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On pharmacy, the next generation
On pharmacy, the next generation

There is something very special about being in the presence of pharmacy students—even more so when you’re around students that remind you of your younger self, radiating with excitement, curiosity and ambition to start their pharmacy career. I was fortunate enough to start off my year with a high dose of pharmacy spirit at Professional Development Week (PDW) in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

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On humanizing health care
On humanizing health care

The COVID-19 pandemic has been a great equalizer; a humbling reminder that we are all susceptible to the threats and consequences of disease. At the same time, it has also shown us the great things we can accomplish when we come together. We’ve witnessed first-hand what happens when bright minds from around the world unify to tackle a worldwide problem. We’ve seen the power of science and collaboration deliver a life-saving vaccine in record time.

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Reflections and lessons learned
Reflections and lessons learned

This has easily been one of the most eventful years of my life, both personally and professionally.  My role as CPO has strengthened my understanding and deepened my appreciation of and admiration for the pharmacy profession.

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Fear, frustration and frenzy at the pharmacy
Fear, frustration and frenzy at the pharmacy

It’s a challenging time to be in pharmacy right now. No matter what setting you’re practicing in, odds are that you’re being pulled in many directions and the pressure is on. And if you’re a parent or caregiver to young children/dependants or have aging parents to look out for, things are even more complicated.

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On advocacy and leadership
On advocacy and leadership

I’ve been reflecting a great deal on the word “advocacy.” What does it mean? What does it look like for each of us personally? For our profession?

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