After F/P/T meeting CPhA encourages health ministers to focus on innovation, new care models

OTTAWA, Oct. 19, 2016 /CNW/ - As Canada's health ministers wrapped up their meetings yesterday on a new Health Accord, the Canadian Pharmacists Association (CPhA) stressed that investing in innovation and innovative practices in the way health care is delivered is key to achieving better health outcomes, efficiencies and value for health care dollars. Innovative care models that include pharmacist services can play an important role in helping to address many of the health care challenges facing all jurisdictions across Canada, as well as ensuring Canadians have access to the care they need to be healthy.

Pharmacists across Canada have shown leadership in providing world-class health care services in the key areas identified by health ministers yesterday, such as mental health, community-based home care and chronic disease management. CPhA urges governments to examine how best to leverage the expertise of all health care professionals, including pharmacists, to achieve meaningful results for all Canadians.

CPhA also urges health ministers to examine major barriers in digital health technologies and immediately implement a pan-Canadian e-prescribing system.  A national e-prescribing system would facilitate enhanced collaboration between health care providers and improve their ability to manage and monitor patients' chronic conditions.

All governments should recognize that making appropriate investments in innovative care models, and in the technology to support them, will result in greater efficiencies and, most importantly, improved health outcomes for all Canadians.  CPhA is committed to helping governments leverage the skills and expertise of Canada's 40,000 pharmacists to ensure Canadians have timely access to safe and effective health care in every community.

About the Canadian Pharmacists Association

The Canadian Pharmacists Association (CPhA) is the uniting national voice of pharmacy and the pharmacist profession in Canada. As pharmacists undertake an enhanced role in the delivery of health care services, CPhA ensures that the profession is recognized as a national leader in health care, influencing the policies, programs, budgets and initiatives affecting the profession and the health of Canadians. More information is available at www.pharmacists.ca.

SOURCE Canadian Pharmacists Association

Stefi Proulx, Media and Stakeholder Relations Specialist, Canadian Pharmacists Association, [email protected], [phone] ext 230