Media Advisory: Ontario's community pharmacies Present Top Ten Pharmacist
Services immediately at risk as a result of government cuts

TORONTO, April 11 /CNW/ - The Ontario Pharmacists' Association, the Independent Pharmacists of Ontario, and the Canadian Association of Chain Drug Stores, independently and jointly wish to identify the following list of top ten services provided by pharmacists that are immediately at risk as a result of proposed government spending cuts to front line health care in your community:

    
    Top Ten Pharmacist Services at Risk

    1.  Medication and over-the-counter medication counseling and education
    2.  Monitoring for drug interactions to prevent negative health impacts
    3.  Helping patients with conditions such as diabetes, multiple
        sclerosis, asthma, cancer, HIV/AIDS, high blood pressure and other
        cardiovascular illnesses to manage their conditions and complex
        medication regimens
    4.  Educating patients on use of medical devices such as blood glucose
        diabetes monitors and blood pressure monitors
    5.  Public heath advice such as H1N1 clinics and counseling
    6.  Infusion Therapies; injections and IV services otherwise administered
        in the hospital
    7.  Compliance packaging for patients with daily living needs
    8.  Health Education Clinics (high blood pressure, diabetes, dietician
        consultations)
    9.  Free prescription delivery and medication and syringe disposal
    10. Patient triage and advice on general health care concerns over the
        phone or walk-in at the dispensary for patients who do not have easy
        access to a family doctor and/or after hours, reducing the need for
        patients to go to the ER
    

"Pharmacists are front line health care workers who provide valuable health care services that 13 million Ontarians rely on every day," says, Rita Winn, RPh, BScPhm, pharmacist and general manager, Lovell Drugs in Oshawa.

About Ontario's Community Pharmacies

The Ontario's Community Pharmacies coalition is the unified voice of community pharmacy in Ontario, representing independent owner-operated stores, "banner" groups of independently-owned stores that work together, as well as large and small pharmacy chains. The coalition is supported by the associations and organizations that represent both the profession and the neighbourhood business of pharmacy, including the Ontario Pharmacists' Association, the Independent Pharmacists of Ontario, the Canadian Association of Chain Drug Stores and the Ontario Chain Drug Association.

For further information: Ontario's Community Pharmacies Coalition Media Hotline, [phone] x202