Talk to your community pharmacist - your partner in health

VANCOUVER, March 5, 2012 /CNW/ - As part of Pharmacist Awareness Week (March 4-10, 2012) the BC Pharmacy Association (BCPhA) is encouraging British Columbians to get to know their community pharmacist.

In January 2012, an Ipsos Reid poll placed pharmacists at the top of the most trusted professions in Canada for a second year running. Pharmacists are playing an increasingly important role in delivering many clinical services to patients at a community level.

Services provided by BC community pharmacists include Medication Review Services, giving patients the opportunity to discuss their medication concerns and help them get the most from their medications. Pharmacists are also able to renew and adapt certain prescriptions, provide diabetes education and offer patients smoking cessation counseling.

Since 2009, pharmacists in BC have played a significant role in supporting flu season immunizations. More than 1,550 community pharmacists are authorized to give vaccinations and are on track to give more than 100,000 publicly funded vaccines this flu season. Community pharmacists in the Fraser Valley are also helping manage the recent outbreak of whooping cough, immunizing hundreds of patients in the Fraser Health Authority area.

Geraldine Vance, CEO of BCPhA said: "Pharmacists are helping to ease the pressures on our primary care system. They are able to connect with patients at times in which other health professional can't.

"Community pharmacists are a key partner in BC's health care team. We encourage patients to talk to their pharmacist today and learn more about how they can help them manage their health."

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 2,600 pharmacists and 800 pharmacies throughout British Columbia.

Krista Davidson | Senior Communications Specialist: 604.269.2867 |  [email protected]