Pharmacy Check-in: Tolu Okubote
Tolu Okubote, MPharm, PGCert, RPh (she/her)
Clinical Pharmacist, Alberta Health Services
Edmonton, AB
Tolu Okubote is a dual-licensed clinical pharmacist trained at Kingston University School of Pharmacy in London, UK. Her early experience in community pharmacy strengthened her commitment to patient-centred care, which she has continued to develop in Canada. Tolu now practises as a Clinical Pharmacist with Alberta Health Services (AHS), working remotely to support patients across rural Alberta, with a focus on improving access to care and supporting older adults and complex patients. This work continues to deepen her passion for improving patient outcomes while addressing barriers that can affect equitable access to care.
Beyond her clinical practice, Tolu is committed to advancing pharmacy within Black communities and creating spaces where Black pharmacy professionals feel supported and seen. She serves as Director of Operations (Alberta) with the Black Pharmacy Professionals of Canada (BPPC) and is actively helping to build the BPPC–Alberta Region, strengthening the local community, growing mentorship pathways, supporting internationally trained pharmacists and creating opportunities for connection, professional development and leadership.
Tolu is also passionate about health education tailored to Black communities. She has supported and contributed to BPPC’s skin health education initiatives, including a skincare series that sparked strong engagement and meaningful conversations, highlighting the need for more skin-of-colour education. Building on that momentum, she continues to advocate for culturally responsive health education that is both practical and empowering.
In addition, Tolu is the founder and host of InnerScript Wellness, a faith-integrated mental health and wellness platform. Through her podcast and wellness storytelling, she explores emotional well-being, identity, stress, relationships and healing—bridging the often-overlooked gap between mental health education and faith-based communities with compassion and cultural context. Across all her work, Tolu is passionate about strengthening trust, improving access and helping individuals and communities thrive.
Q&A with Tolu
We caught up with Tolu during Black History Month to chat about the importance of inclusive pharmacy care.
What is the #1 thing pharmacists can do to create a safe and inclusive space for members of the Black community?
The #1 thing pharmacists can do is listen with humility and intention, not just to respond, but to understand. Creating a safe and inclusive space starts with taking people’s concerns seriously, validating lived experiences and building trust through consistent, respectful care.
Practically, this means strengthening cultural humility and competence, avoiding assumptions or generalizations and being aware of how inequities can shape a patient’s experience in the health system. It also means using culturally relevant education, checking understanding without judgment and showing up in community spaces to build genuine relationships, not just during awareness months, but as an ongoing commitment.
Why is inclusive health care important, especially in a pharmacy setting?
Inclusive health care improves outcomes, and in pharmacy, it also improves access, adherence and trust. Many marginalized communities, including Black communities, experience health inequities shaped by social determinants of health, systemic barriers and historical mistrust. Pharmacies are often the most accessible point of care, so the way we show up can make a meaningful difference.
When pharmacy teams provide inclusive care, patients are more likely to ask questions, share what’s really happening and feel confident in their treatment plans. Inclusive care also strengthens health literacy by tailoring communication, recognizing different cultural contexts and ensuring patients feel empowered to make informed choices about their health.
What’s the biggest mistake health-care providers make in caring for Black patients and how can they do better?
One of the biggest mistakes is underestimating the impact of systemic bias and unintentionally letting assumptions shape care. This can show up as dismissing concerns, minimizing symptoms, or making decisions based on stereotypes rather than individual needs.
Doing better starts with self-awareness and ongoing learning: implicit bias education, cultural humility and understanding how structural barriers affect health. Providers can also practise shared decision-making, ask more open-ended questions and create space for patients to tell their full story. Advocacy matters too, especially when barriers like medication affordability, transportation or access to culturally responsive education stand in the way of care.
What is the most rewarding part of your pharmacy practice?
The most rewarding part of my pharmacy practice is knowing that I’m helping improve care and access for patients who may not always have it easily, especially across rural Alberta. Working remotely with Alberta Health Services allows me to support patients with complex needs, strengthen medication safety and help bridge gaps that can come with geography, limited resources or barriers to follow-up care.
I also find a lot of meaning in the human side of the work when patients feel heard, supported and empowered to understand their medications and advocate for their health. Beyond direct patient care, it’s rewarding to contribute to broader community impact through BPPC–Alberta and health education initiatives like the skin health series. Together, it reinforces why I love pharmacy: it’s not just about medications, it’s about improving lives.
Is there anything else you’d like to share about your practice, or about anything else that is important to you?
I’m passionate about bridging the gap between mental health and faith-based Black communities, a space where stigma and silence can prevent people from getting the support they need. Through InnerScript Wellness, I aim to create culturally responsive conversations that make room for both faith and evidence-informed mental health education, helping people feel less alone and more equipped to pursue healing.
Community engagement is central to how I practise. Whether through advocacy, mentorship, education or collaborative outreach, my goal is to strengthen trust, improve access and support long-term wellness. For me, pharmacy is not just about medications; it’s about helping people feel supported enough to take the next step in their health journey.