Neighbourhood Pharmacies' Research Confirms Positive Impression of Pharmacy

TORONTO, Sept. 9, 2016 /CNW/ - New results from a Nanos Research survey of 1,000 Canadians have confirmed that the general impression of pharmacy is at its highest level since 2014. The new findings, conducted on behalf of the Neighbourhood Pharmacy Association of Canada (Neighbourhood Pharmacies) revealed that 75 per cent of Canadians surveyed said they had a positive or somewhat positive impression of pharmacy. The research was conducted by Nanos Research from May 27 – June 1, 2016.

In a statement, Justin J. Bates, CEO of Neighbourhood Pharmacies, said the survey reaffirms the favourable impression that patients across Canada have of their local pharmacy. "I'm particularly pleased that Canadian patients continue to have full confidence in their pharmacies as fully integrated pharmaceutical and medication management service providers. This was demonstrated, to cite just one finding, by the fact that almost 60% of survey respondents stated that pharmacy staff had initiated a conversation about their medications or overall health every single time or most of the time," commented Mr. Bates. 

Moreover, the survey reported that patients with a positive impression of pharmacies take more than double the number of medications than those with a negative impression. Commenting on that finding, Mr. Bates stated "this underscores the vital role that pharmacists and pharmacy staff play in helping patients deal with such issues as medication adherence, adverse reactions, drug-to-drug interaction, etc."

Additional survey findings:

• Almost 40% of respondents said that the most important factor in choosing a pharmacy was "having a pharmacist who knows me and is concerned about my health" compared to 33% who said that the most important factor was "picking up my prescription quickly and easily".
• Only 18% of Canadians said that getting their medications for the lowest possible cost was most important to them. This confirms that most Canadians value high quality and prompt service over cost.
• Younger age groups (who also take fewer drugs) consider time to be their highest priority, but the quality of the service becomes more important in the older age groups.
• Cost was a priority for a relatively small part of each age group compared to time and quality in the survey.
• Patient priorities varied only marginally by region and gender: Quebeckers placed a slightly higher priority in quality of service than other provinces, while 43% of females considered quality more important than males (34%). Cost was the lowest priority across all regions.

About the Neighbourhood Pharmacy Association of Canada

The Neighbourhood Pharmacy Association of Canada (Neighbourhood Pharmacies) is the respected voice and advocate for the business of pharmacy. We represent the owners and operators of the country's leading Neighbourhood Pharmacies brands, serving Canadians through chain, banner and franchised neighbourhood pharmacies, as well as grocers and mass merchandisers with pharmacies. We also represent the leading retail and banner buying groups serving independent pharmacies. Pharmacy suppliers - including pharmaceutical manufacturers, technology companies, data specialists, marketing companies and consultants - also participate in the organization as associates.

SOURCE Neighbourhood Pharmacy Association of Canada

about this survey, please contact: Anthony Silva, VP, Stakeholder Relations & Technology, [email protected], 416-226-9100 ext. 4005