Pharmacy at the frontlines of cannabis implementation and responding to the opioid crisis

Neighbourhood Pharmacy Association of Canada announces The Pharmacy, Health & Beauty EXPO 2018 to address headwinds and seize opportunities facing industry

TORONTO, April 3, 2018 /CNW/ - In an age when the quickly-evolving healthcare landscape touches the lives of all Canadians, the role of pharmacies as a go-to resource in communities across the country has become increasingly important. The fast approaching changes in cannabis mean consumers need accessible advice on potential drug-to-drug interactions and therapeutic value of treatment options. Pharmacies can evolve to deliver optimized care to Canadians when and where they need it. This is critical in an increasingly constrained fiscal environment with multiple issues facing the healthcare system — from the opioid crisis to the systemic pressures and the unmet gap in delivering alternative levels of care.

This year, more than ever, the Neighbourhood Pharmacy Association of Canada (Neighbourhood Pharmacies) is pleased to announce the opening of its Pharmacy, Health & Beauty EXPO 2018 (the EXPO), which aims to address these important issues and trends facing the industry.

"While almost 80 per cent of Canadians turn to their neighbourhood pharmacies for trusted, professional healthcare advice, there is a need to discuss the emerging issues facing pharmacies today and ensure they are well-poised to grow and continue to serve their communities," says Justin J. Bates, Chief Executive Officer, Neighbourhood Pharmacies. "EXPO 2018 brings together retailers and key suppliers for networking, collaboration and the opportunity to have these critical discussions."

The EXPO takes place at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, South Building, Toronto, April 3–5, 2018. Over three days, attendees can network with industry leaders and small startups; attend informative sessions and hear keynote speakers inspire, educate and drive success in the pharmacy landscape; and, opportunity for one-on-one meetings with potential business partners.

Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from keynote speakers, including Michele Romanow, a "Dragon" on CBC's Dragons' Den and co-founder of e-commerce platforms Buytopia.ca and SnapSaves (acquired by Groupon), on reaching success through change and innovation and the Honourable Rona Ambrose, former leader of the Conservative Party of Canada. Additional keynote speakers include Bertrand Bolduc, President of l'Ordre des pharmaciens du Québec; Helen Huh, President of MediSystem Technologies Inc., Shoppers Drug Mart; and Don Guy, Chief Strategist and Owner of Pollara Strategic Insights. Guests will also have the chance to take part in networking events or arrange one-on-one meetings.

Focused on the ecosystem of pharmacy, the EXPO has attendance from members and non-members in the retailer space, along with additional stakeholders, associates and guests proving an exclusive opportunity to connect with key decision makers in the industry. Additional attendance options are available for vendors and potential partners.

Members of Neighbourhood Pharmacies include the operators of Canada's approximately 6,500 chain, banner and franchise neighbourhood pharmacies, as well as grocery chains and mass merchandisers with pharmacies. Neighbourhood Pharmacies' members help save the Canadian healthcare system more than $12.5 billion annually by preventing adverse drug reactions, operating an efficient supply chain and by providing access to innovative drug therapies along with lower-cost multi-source drugs.

Register or reserve your meeting space for the Pharmacy, Health & Beauty EXPO at http://pharmacyhealthandbeautyexpo.ca/

2018 Break and Learn Sessions

Session #1
Topic: The Opioid Crisis: the Quebec Perspective
Speaker: Bertrand Bolduc, President, l'Ordre des pharmaciens du Québec

Session #2
Topic: Value of Pharmacy, Closing the Access Gap (Pharmacare)
Speaker: Thy Dinh, PhD, Director, Health Economics and Policy, The Conference Board of Canada

Session #3
Topic: Panel Discussion: Value of Patient Support Program
Moderator: Chris Dalseg, RPh VP, Strategy and Industry Relations, BioScript Pharmacy Ltd.
Speaker: Anne Marie Cerato, Lung Cancer Survivor Patient Advocate, Board of Directors, Lung Cancer Canada; Alan Birch, RPhT, RPhT Drug Access Facilitator, Cancer Care Program; Jeff Enstrom, Business Unit Director, Bioadvance, Janssen-Ortho Inc.

Session #4
Topic: Community Pharmacists as Catalysts for Deprescribing – Results of a Pilot Study
Speaker: Barbara Farrell, BScPhm, PharmD, FCSHP Co-PI Lead

Session #5
Topic: Health Canada's Self-Care Framework: Potential Front Shop Implications
Speaker: Gerry Harrington, Vice President, Policy & Regulatory Affairs, CHP Canada

Session #6
Topic: Creating Memorable Experiences.
Speaker: Vanessa Norris, VP Marketing Operations, Loblaw Companies Ltd.

About the Neighbourhood Pharmacy Association of Canada
The Neighbourhood Pharmacy Association of Canada (Neighbourhood Pharmacies) represents the business of pharmacy and advocates for Canada's leading pharmacy organizations who deliver value, quality care to Canadians in all models including chain, banner, long-term care, and specialty pharmacies as well as grocery chains and mass merchandisers with pharmacies. Our focus is on improving the delivery of care environment for pharmacy, while fostering the right business conditions for business success. By leveraging more than 10,000 pharmacies conveniently located in every neighbourhood across Canada, we aim to advance sustainable healthcare for all stakeholders.

About the Pharmacy, Health & Beauty EXPO

The Pharmacy, Health and Beauty EXPO 2018 is the central hub for the business of pharmacy in Canada, bringing retailers and key suppliers together for a unique conference experience that is unlike any other event in the country. Brought to you by the Neighbourhood Pharmacy Association of Canada, the Pharmacy, Health and Beauty EXPO 2018 is the only event focused on the broader Canadian pharmacy industry. If you are in management, procurement or a supplier to the industry, this is a "must attend" event experience. The event takes place April 3-5, 2018, at Metro Toronto Convention Centre, South Building located at 222 Bremner Boulevard, Toronto.

SOURCE Neighbourhood Pharmacy Association of Canada

Aimee Sulliman, Senior Vice President, Public Affairs, Neighbourhood Pharmacy Association of Canada, E: [email protected], T: 416-226-9100 ext. 4006; Jennifer Fox, Edelman, E: [email protected], T: 416-849-1958