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Name: Canadian Pharmacists Association
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Canada is facing a primary care crisis—and pharmacists are ready to help. Despite years of advanced training, pharmacists in many provinces are held back by outdated regulations that stop them from providing the care they’re qualified to deliver. Your voice can help change that.

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Letter

<p>I am writing to you as a concerned citizen and advocate for equitable health-care services across Canada. It is deeply unfair that the care Canadians can access at their pharmacy depends on where they live, despite all pharmacists being highly trained and meeting the same competency standard throughout the country. Pharmacists have the knowledge and skills to manage the primary health-care needs of their patients, but the current provincial regulations create significant disparities in the tools they are authorized to use, which ultimately affects the quality of care patients receive.</p><p>Patients in Ontario face challenges in accessing comprehensive care for minor ailments because pharmacists can only assess patients for a specified list of conditions that is substantially more limited than what pharmacists can assess for in most other provinces. Furthermore, pharmacists can only prescribe treatments from a list of authorized drugs, despite being fully trained to select the most suitable treatment option for each patient. This limitation means that some common conditions cannot be optimally managed at the pharmacy and require a visit to a physician or other health-care provider, adding excess strain to the health-care system.</p><p>Additionally, there is a major gap in the preventative care pharmacists can offer, as unlike most other provinces, pharmacists in Ontario lack the prescribing authority to: manage drug shortages, offer all vaccines, and support chronic disease management. This not only limits access to care but also results in bureaucratic obstacles when accessing private insurance coverage. Despite pharmacists being highly trained to provide these services, the lack of prescribing authority adds unnecessary burden and delays to patient care.</p><p>It is imperative that we address these disparities to ensure that all Canadians have equal access to the full range of services that pharmacists are trained and competent to provide. By expanding the scope of practice for pharmacists, we can give pharmacists the tools they need to improve health-care outcomes and ensure that patients receive the care they need, regardless of where they live.</p><p>Thank you for your attention to this important matter.</p><p>Sincerely,</p>

Letter

<p>I am writing to you as a concerned citizen and advocate for equitable health-care services across Canada. It is deeply unfair that the care Canadians can access at their pharmacy depends on where they live, despite all pharmacists being highly trained and meeting the same competency standard throughout the country. Pharmacists have the knowledge and skills to manage the primary health-care needs of their patients, but the current provincial regulations create significant disparities in the tools they are authorized to use, which ultimately affects the quality of care patients receive.</p><p>Patients in British Columbia who are struggling with a chronic disease, and who have limited access to a health-care provider can have serious negative outcomes. This gap in health-care services can increase the risk to patients and force them to seek care elsewhere, often leading to delays and increased health-care costs.</p><p>Pharmacists, who are located across the province, have the skills and expertise to help support these individuals. Enabling pharmacists to provide a comprehensive method for managing patients with chronic diseases, including performing point of care tests, and initiating or adjusting medication therapy will lead to enhanced care for patients.</p><p>It is imperative that we address these disparities to ensure that all Canadians have equal access to the full range of services that pharmacists are trained and competent to provide. By expanding the scope of practice for pharmacists, we can give pharmacists the tools they need to improve health-care outcomes and ensure that patients receive the care they need, regardless of where they live.
Thank you for your attention to this important matter.</p><p>Sincerely,</p>

Letter

<p>I am writing to you as a concerned citizen and advocate for equitable health-care services across Canada. It is deeply unfair that the care Canadians can access at their pharmacy depends on where they live, despite all pharmacists being highly trained and competent throughout the country. The current provincial regulations create significant disparities in the scope of practice for pharmacists, which ultimately affects the quality of care patients receive.</p><p>The minor ailments care that pharmacists can provide in Manitoba is very limited. They can only prescribe drugs from an authorized list for a very short list of minor ailments, leaving many common conditions such as strep throat, ear infections, cold sores, impetigo and shingles untreated. These limitations lead to additional visits to physicians, for conditions that pharmacists are trained to manage and have proven their ability to do so safely and effectively in other jurisdictions. </p><p>The gap is even greater for women, who cannot turn to their pharmacist for management of menstrual pain, prenatal care and hormonal contraception.</p><p>Lastly, pharmacists do not have authority to perform therapeutic substitutions—switching to a safer or more effective medicine—which leads to delays in treatment and additional administrative burden on the health-care system.</p><p>It is imperative that we address these disparities to ensure that all Canadians have equal access to the full range of services that pharmacists are trained and competent to provide. By expanding the scope of practice for pharmacists, we can improve health-care outcomes and ensure that patients receive the care they need, regardless of where they live.</p><p>Thank you for your attention to this important matter.</p>

Letter

<p>I am writing to you as a concerned citizen and advocate for equitable health-care services across Canada. It is deeply unfair that the care Canadians can access at their pharmacy depends on where they live, despite all pharmacists being highly trained and meeting the same competency standard throughout the country. Pharmacists have the knowledge and skills to manage the primary health-care needs of their patients, but the current provincial regulations create significant disparities in the tools they are authorized to use, which ultimately affects the quality of care patients receive.</p><p>Patients in New Brunswick struggle to receive care for many common ailments that Canadians in other provinces can turn to their pharmacists for, such as STIs, head lice and fungal nail infections. Additionally, pharmacists are also limited in prescribing preventative treatments for gastro-intestinal complications, altitude illness and prenatal care.</p><p>Lastly, patients with chronic conditions and who have limited access to a health-care provider can have serious negative outcomes. This gap in health-care services can increase the risk to patients and force them to seek care elsewhere, often leading to delays and increased health-care costs. Pharmacists, who are located across the province, have the skills and expertise to help support these individuals. Enabling pharmacists to provide a comprehensive method for managing patients with chronic diseases, including performing point of care tests, and initiating or adjusting medication therapy will lead to enhanced care for patients.</p><p>It is imperative that we address these disparities to ensure that all Canadians have equal access to the full range of services that pharmacists are trained and competent to provide. By expanding the scope of practice for pharmacists, we can improve health-care outcomes and ensure that patients receive the care they need, regardless of where they live.</p><p>Thank you for your attention to this important matter.</p>

Letter (Newfoundland and Labrador)

<p>I am writing to you as a concerned citizen and advocate for equitable health-care services across Canada. It is deeply unfair that the care Canadians can access at their pharmacy depends on where they live, despite all pharmacists being highly trained and meeting the same competency standard throughout the country. Pharmacists have the knowledge and skills to manage the primary health-care needs of their patients, but the current provincial regulations create significant disparities in the tools they are authorized to use, which ultimately affects the quality of care patients receive.</p><p>Patients in Newfoundland and Labrador struggle to receive care for common ailments that Canadians in other provinces can turn to their pharmacists for, such as STIs, minor cuts and sinus and ear infections.</p><p>Additionally, patients who are struggling with a chronic disease, and who have limited access to a health-care provider can have serious negative outcomes. This gap in health-care services can increase the risk to patients and force them to seek care elsewhere, often leading to delays and increased health-care costs.</p><p>Pharmacists, who are located across the province, have the skills and expertise to help support these individuals. However, unlike in most provinces, pharmacists here are not authorized to order or interpret laboratory tests for their patients. Enabling pharmacists to provide a comprehensive method for managing patients with chronic diseases, including ordering lab tests, and initiating or adjusting medication therapy will lead to enhanced care for patients.</p><p>It is imperative that we address these disparities to ensure that all Canadians have equal access to the full range of services that pharmacists are trained and competent to provide. By expanding the scope of practice for pharmacists, we can give pharmacists the tools they need to improve health-care outcomes and ensure that patients receive the care they need, regardless of where they live.</p><p>Thank you for your attention to this important matter.</p>

Letter (Nunavut)

<p>I am writing to you as a concerned citizen and advocate for equitable health-care services across Canada. It is deeply unfair that the care Canadians can access at their pharmacy depends on where they live, despite all pharmacists being highly trained and competent throughout the country. The current territorial regulations create significant disparities in the scope of practice for pharmacists, which ultimately affects the quality of care patients receive.</p><p>Patients in Nunavut cannot receive care for the common ailments that Canadians in other jurisdictions can turn to their pharmacists for, such as STIs, strep throat and fungal nail infections for example. Additionally, pharmacists also lack authority to prescribe and administer routine vaccines and those needed for travel.</p><p>Lastly, patients with chronic conditions and who have limited access to a health-care provider can have serious negative outcomes. This gap in health-care services can increase the risk to patients and force them to seek care elsewhere, often leading to delays and increased health-care costs. Pharmacists are unable even to extend prescriptions for chronic medications when patients are out of refills, a significant issue in a jurisdiction where most residents do not have a family physician or cannot access care in a timely manner. Pharmacists have the skills and expertise to help support these individuals. Enabling pharmacists to provide comprehensive management for patients with chronic diseases, including performing point of care tests and ordering lab tests, and initiating, adjusting or renewing medication therapy will lead to enhanced care for patients.</p><p>It is imperative that we address these disparities to ensure that all Canadians have equal access to the full range of services that pharmacists are trained and competent to provide. Allowing pharmacists to practice within the Nunavut health system to the full scope of their abilities is aligned with the Inuit Societal Values of piliriqatigiinniq (working together for a common cause) and qanuqtuurniq (being innovative and resourceful). By supporting the expansion of pharmacists’ scope of practice, we can improve health-care outcomes and ensure that patients receive the care they need, regardless of where they live, in accordance with inuuqatigiitsiarniq (respecting others, relationships, and caring for people). </p><p>I recognize that a new Pharmacy Professionals Act was recently approved in the legislature and call on the government to implement the full scope of pharmacy practice in the regulations.</p><p>Thank you for your attention to this important matter.</p>

Letter (Northwest Territories)

<p>I am writing to you as a resident of the Northwest Territories and a supporter of equitable access to health care across Canada. I appreciate the work that has already been done to explore expanding the scope of practice for pharmacists in our territory, and I hope you will lend your full support to seeing these changes through.</p><p>Pharmacists across Canada are highly trained professionals, yet the services they are authorized to provide vary significantly depending on where they practice. In the Northwest Territories, current regulations limit the ability of pharmacists to offer care for common conditions such as strep throat, STIs, and fungal infections, as well as to prescribe preventative treatments for issues like altitude illness and prenatal care. These limitations can lead to unnecessary delays in care and increased strain on other parts of the health-care system.</p><p>Expanding pharmacists’ scope of practice would also benefit patients managing chronic conditions, especially those in remote or underserved communities. Pharmacists are well-positioned to support these individuals by performing point-of-care testing, ordering lab work, and initiating or adjusting medication therapy. These services can significantly improve health outcomes and reduce the burden on other health-care providers.</p><p>I understand that changes to these regulations have been proposed, and I commend the steps taken so far. I urge you to continue championing this initiative and to support the full implementation of these changes. Doing so will help ensure that residents of the Northwest Territories have access to the same high-quality pharmacy care available in other parts of Canada.</p><p>Thank you for your attention to this important matter and for your continued service to our community.</p>

Letter (Prince Edward Island)

<p>I am writing to you as a concerned citizen and advocate for equitable health-care services across Canada. It is deeply unfair that the care Canadians can access at their pharmacy depends on where they live, despite all pharmacists being highly trained and competent throughout the country. The current provincial regulations create significant disparities in the scope of practice for pharmacists, which ultimately affects the quality of care patients receive.</p><p>Patients in Prince Edward Island struggle to receive care for common ailments that Canadians in other provinces can turn to their pharmacists for, such as pink eye, STIs, head lice and fungal nail infections. 
Additionally, pharmacists are also limited in prescribing preventative treatments for gastro-intestinal complications, Lyme disease, travelers’ health and prenatal care.</p><p>It is imperative that we address these disparities to ensure that all Canadians have equal access to the full range of services that pharmacists are trained and competent to provide. By expanding the scope of practice for pharmacists, we can improve health-care outcomes and ensure that patients receive the care they need, regardless of where they live.</p><p>Thank you for your attention to this important matter.</p>

Letter (Saskatchewan)

<p>I am writing to you as a concerned citizen and advocate for equitable health-care services across Canada. It is deeply unfair that the care Canadians can access at their pharmacy depends on where they live, despite all pharmacists being highly trained and meeting the same competency standard throughout the country. Pharmacists have the knowledge and skills to manage the primary health-care needs of their patients, but the current provincial regulations create significant disparities in the tools they are authorized to use, which ultimately affects the quality of care patients receive.</p><p>Patients in Saskatchewan who are struggling with a chronic disease, and who have limited access to a health-care provider can have serious negative outcomes. This gap in health-care services can increase the risk to patients and force them to seek care elsewhere, often leading to delays and increased health-care costs.</p><p>Pharmacists, who are located across the province, have the skills and expertise to help support these individuals. Enabling pharmacists to provide a comprehensive method for managing patients with chronic diseases, including ordering lab tests, performing point of care tests, and initiating or adjusting medication therapy will lead to enhanced care for patients.</p><p>It is imperative that we address these disparities to ensure that all Canadians have equal access to the full range of services that pharmacists are trained and competent to provide. By expanding the scope of practice for pharmacists, we can give pharmacists the tools they need to improve health-care outcomes and ensure that patients receive the care they need, regardless of where they live.</p><p>Thank you for your attention to this important matter.</p>

Letter (Yukon)

<p>I am writing to you as a concerned citizen and advocate for equitable health-care services across Canada. It is deeply unfair that the care Canadians can access at their pharmacy depends on where they live, despite all pharmacists being highly trained and competent throughout the country. The current territorial regulations create significant disparities in the scope of practice for pharmacists, which ultimately affects the quality of care patients receive.</p><p>Patients in Yukon struggle to receive care for the common ailments that Canadians in other jurisdictions can turn to their pharmacists for, such as STIs, strep throat and fungal nail infections for example. Additionally, pharmacists are also limited in prescribing preventative treatments for gastro-intestinal complications and prenatal care.</p><p>Lastly, patients with chronic conditions and who have limited access to a health-care provider can have serious negative outcomes. This gap in health-care services can increase the risk to patients and force them to seek care elsewhere, often leading to delays and increased health-care costs. Pharmacists, who are located across the territory, have the skills and expertise to help support these individuals. Enabling pharmacists to provide a comprehensive method for managing patients with chronic diseases, including performing point of care tests and ordering lab tests, as well as initiating medication therapy will lead to enhanced care for patients.</p><p>It is imperative that we address these disparities to ensure that all Canadians have equal access to the full range of services that pharmacists are trained and competent to provide. By expanding the scope of practice for pharmacists, we can improve health-care outcomes and ensure that patients receive the care they need, regardless of where they live.</p><p>Thank you for your attention to this important matter.</p>

Letter (Alberta)

<p>I’m writing as a proud Albertan and a concerned citizen who deeply values the care I receive from my pharmacist and the broader health-care team that supports me.</p><p>Since 2007, Alberta has led the country with the broadest scope of pharmacist practice in Canada. I’m proud that our province was the first to empower pharmacists with independent prescribing authority to prescribe medications, ability to administer drugs and vaccines by injection and order laboratory tests and interpret the results for patients. This leadership has made Alberta a national example of how pharmacists can enhance primary care, improve health outcomes and reduce pressure on other parts of the health-care system.</p><p>For me, my pharmacist is a critical connection to accessible care. My pharmacist helps me manage the medications I take, answers all of my questions, and is always there to provide reassurance when I’m not able to easily access any other health-care provider. In a province where so many people still don’t have a regular family doctor or nurse practitioner, I’m very grateful to have a local community pharmacist who is always available and who collaborates with my doctor and other members of my health-care team.</p><p>In fact, many other provinces are now working to catch up to what Alberta already has. The Canadian Pharmacists Association has recently launched the National Benchmark for Pharmacy Practice, which outlines what all pharmacists in Canada are trained and qualified to do, such as managing chronic conditions and medication use, administering drugs and vaccines by injection, prescribing for commonly encountered conditions and continuity of care, and being readily accessible to patients in their communities.</p><p>I’ve seen first-hand how Alberta pharmacists’ enhanced scope of practice benefits Albertans, and I’m worried about recent policy changes that could make pharmacy care harder to access—such as raising prescription co-pays for seniors, removing COVID-19 vaccinations from pharmacies and cutting funding for Care Plans and chronic disease management. These decisions may save money in the short term, but they risk long-term costs to our health-care system and the health of Albertans—especially seniors, rural residents, and people with chronic conditions.</p><p>Alberta has built a reputation for leadership and innovation in pharmacist care. I urge the government to ensure appropriate funding is provided for pharmacies so that pharmacist care as a vital and complementary part of Alberta’s primary care framework may continue.</p><p>If your family is like mine, we’ve all had to rely on the accessible care provided by our local community pharmacist.  It would be incredibly disruptive if Albertans were no longer able to access that care. I urge you to keep Alberta at the forefront of integrated, patient-centered health care, and deliver us a system where every professional’s contribution is valued,and every Albertan can access the care they need, when and where they need it.</p><p>Sincerely,</p>

Letter (Quebec)

<p>I am writing to you as a concerned citizen and advocate for equitable health-care services across Canada. </p><p>I am very pleased to know that there are legislative changes in progress that will give Quebec pharmacists one of the most advanced scopes of practice across the country. Indeed, once the regulations surrounding Bill 67 come into effect, pharmacists will be able to prescribe for common conditions without limitations, along with many other services.  </p><p>This progress is great news for Quebec patients who need strong and accessible front-line care. However, I know that patients in other provinces are not as fortunate and their pharmacists do not have the same scope of practice. These disparities in access to care ultimately affect the quality-of-care patients receive. It is deeply unfair that the care Canadians can access at their pharmacy depends on where they live, despite all pharmacists across the country being highly trained and competent.  </p><p>Beyond scope of practice, access to these services is crucial and the situation in Quebec can be improved, particularly when patients encounter differences in how services are provided across care settings. For instance, while certain screening tests are readily available, patients may face varying requirements and/or fees depending on where they seek care. Addressing these differences is essential to ensuring that pharmacy-based care remains truly accessible and equitable for all patients. When the requirements for access are not consistent across the different points of care, it may discourage people from choosing their pharmacist, even though this option is often faster and more convenient. </p><p>It is important we address these disparities to ensure that all Canadians have equal access to the full range of services that pharmacists are trained and competent to provide. Even if Quebec is an example of success in primary care, some improvements in access are still possible.  </p><p>Thank you for your attention to this important matter.  </p><p>Sincerely, </p>