B.C. pharmacists shaping the future of health care

VANCOUVER, May 17 /CNW/ - Pharmacists from around B.C. will be gathering in Kelowna next week for a major conference on the future of their profession.

The BC Pharmacy Association's annual conference - Shaping the Future: Pharmacy on the Front Line in 2010 - will take place May 27-29 and will be attended by pharmacists who have embraced unprecedented change to their profession in the past 18 months.

In January of last year pharmacists were, for the first time, able to renew and adapt certain prescriptions. Last fall pharmacists also played a significant role in combating the threat posed by the H1N1 outbreak when they signed up in their hundreds for a BCPhA-led training program to administer injections. Over 25,000 British Columbians received vaccinations from pharmacists during the 2009/2010 flu season.

The event in Kelowna will provide a unique learning opportunity for B.C. pharmacists to embrace these changes and look towards the next big development in the profession: Medication Management. This will provide patients with a completely new consultation service to help them make the most of their treatments.

Marnie Mitchell, BCPhA CEO, said: "The profession of pharmacy is changing fast and pharmacists can now help patients with an ever-expanding range of health care questions.

"We are delighted to be holding our Conference in Kelowna, where pharmacists will be looking ahead to further positive changes for the profession and hopefully finding the time to enjoy this beautiful part of B.C."

The three-day event will take place at the Delta Grand Okanagan Resort and Conference Centre in Kelowna. Pharmacists that have not yet registered can do so by going to http://www.bcpharmacy.ca.

Notes to editors:

The British Columbia Pharmacy Association (BCPhA) is a not-for-profit, voluntary, professional association of pharmacists and pharmacies. It represents more than 2,200 pharmacists and 640 pharmacies throughout British Columbia.

For further information: Kate Hunter, Director, Communications: [phone], [email protected]; Simon Briault, Manager, Communications: [phone], [email protected]