The Pharmasave location on 3rd Street in Weyburn is one of 35 pharmacies across Saskatchewan taking part in what is being called a successful provincial pilot program. Since January, specially trained pharmacists at this location have been able to assess patients for suspected ear infections, providing timely advice and treatment. The program is being hailed as a success by the government due to the thousands of assessments that have been conducted across the province.
As of mid-July, there have been more than 3,100 patients who have been assessed in Saskatchewan. There have been 2,390 assessments for ear infections, including many here in Weyburn, and 745 assessments for strep throat, which is being piloted in 11 locations, such as New Hope Pharmacy in Stoughton.
One of the big findings in the project has been that nearly 53 per cent of the assessments did not result in a prescription, which a release from the provincial government said demonstrates the value of professional clinical evaluation.
The initiative from the government is to improve access to primary care, particularly in rural and remote areas.
“This pilot is one of the first in Canada and shows that pharmacists play a vital role in enhancing access to timely care for common conditions,” Rural and Remote Health Minister Lori Carr was quoted as saying in the release. “The fast access to assessment and treatment is reassuring to patients and strengthens team-based primary health care in the province.”
“I am confident that this pilot has demonstrated a meaningful impact and that full implementation could be a sustainable, long-term solution for Saskatchewan's healthcare system,” Rexall Moose Jaw Pharmacy Services Manager Chad Miskiman said in the release. “Moreover, this has significantly enhanced trust and credibility among pharmacy patients, as reflected in the substantial positive feedback we have received from the community.”
More than 140 pharmacists in the province underwent the training to conduct the assessments. The training ensured the pharmacists could meet the standards set by the Saskatchewan College of Pharmacy Professionals.
“Saskatchewan College of Pharmacy Professionals is proud of the profession's leadership in this pilot, which reflects not only pharmacists' strong clinical competence but also the robust training and standards guiding their care,” SCPP President Scott Livingstone commented.
With what are being touted as strong early results, the program may be expanded to other pharmacies in the future. The full list of the pharmacies in Saskatchewan that are part of the pilot program can be found on the Saskatchewan College of Pharmacy Professionals website.