2024-11-08 20:16:00
Bill 67, which intends to give more powers to pharmacists in order to facilitate access to care, was adopted this week and while certain measures are already in place, others will take a little more time before being implemented. authorized.
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With this initiative, pharmacists can extend prescriptions, prescribe, administer and substitute medications.
“This is good news for pharmacists and especially for the Quebec population, it will allow them to have more access,” underlined Jean-François Desgagné, president of the Order of Pharmacists of Quebec.
“I have to put just one caveat, we still have a lot of regulatory work to do before all this lands in pharmacies,” he however qualified in an interview with LCN on Friday.
Éric Yvan Lemay / JdeM
If pharmacists can already prescribe for certain situations, such as shingles for example, they remain limited by certain lists of conditions. The bill should therefore end up “eliminating a lot of administrative constraints”.
“There will be many other things that will solve many problems and will save visits to the emergency room, I assure you,” said Mr. Desgagné.
Regarding follow-up with other health professionals, the president of the Order of Pharmacists assured that work is underway.
“We have made a lot of representations and we have work in progress, precisely to try to work on the organization of work to allow people to be able to follow their care pathway and not fall back to the bottom of the pyramid,” said he indicated.
To watch the full interview, click on the video above.
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**Interview with Dr. Emily Carter, Clinical Pharmacist and Healthcare Policy Expert**
**Interviewer:** Good evening, Dr. Carter. Thank you for joining us today to discuss the recent adoption of Bill 67, which aims to enhance the role of pharmacists in patient care.
**Dr. Carter:** Thank you for having me! It’s great to be here.
**Interviewer:** Bill 67 has recently been adopted and will allow pharmacists to extend prescriptions, prescribe medications, and even administer and substitute certain treatments. How significant do you think this change is for healthcare access?
**Dr. Carter:** This is a monumental step in improving healthcare access. Pharmacists are highly trained professionals who already play a crucial role in our health system. With these new powers, they can bridge the gap in care, particularly in areas with limited access to physicians. It means patients can receive timely treatment without the delays often associated with doctor visits.
**Interviewer:** Some aspects of the bill will take time to implement. What do you think are the challenges that pharmacists or the healthcare system may face during this transition?
**Dr. Carter:** One challenge will be training. Although pharmacists have a solid foundation in medication management, additional training may be required to ensure they can safely and effectively prescribe and administer medications. Additionally, integrating these new services into existing healthcare frameworks will need careful planning to avoid overwhelming pharmacists and clinical workflows.
**Interviewer:** How do you envision the relationship between pharmacists and other healthcare providers evolving with the implementation of Bill 67?
**Dr. Carter:** I believe we will see more collaborative care models emerging. Physicians, pharmacists, and other healthcare providers will need to work closely together to ensure comprehensive patient care. This collaboration will involve sharing patient information and discussing treatment plans, ultimately benefiting patient outcomes.
**Interviewer:** And what message would you like to convey to the public about the changes that Bill 67 will bring?
**Dr. Carter:** I want to emphasize that this legislation is designed to empower both patients and pharmacists. Patients should feel encouraged to speak with their pharmacists about health concerns, as they will soon have more tools at their disposal. This is about making healthcare more accessible and responsive to patient needs.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Carter, for your insights on Bill 67 and its potential impact on the healthcare system.
**Dr. Carter:** Thank you for having me; it’s been a pleasure discussing this important development!
