Health and Community Services
July 15, 2014
Improving Health Care for Residents and Communities
Two New Services Will Support Individuals Diagnosed with a Chronic Illness
Clients of the Newfoundland and Labrador Prescription Drug Program (NLPDP) who have been diagnosed with a chronic illness will benefit from two new services that will be provided by pharmacists in the province. The new initiatives will provide one-on-one medication management services for clients 65 and older with multiple chronic diseases, and for clients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease who are starting a new medication for that illness.
“The prevention and treatment of chronic diseases are important priorities for our government to help people lead active, healthy lives and to prevent progression of disease. We are very pleased with the increased opportunities that we are developing in conjunction with the Pharmacists’ Association of Newfoundland and Labrador and look forward to working with them to further broaden the role of pharmacists. The expansion of the Medication Review Program and the new Medication Adherence Program will be very beneficial to those living with chronic illness and further utilize the specialized skills of pharmacists.”
- The Honourable Charlene Johnson, Minister of Health and Community Services
Prescription drug program beneficiaries over the age of 65, who have been diagnosed with a chronic illness and are taking three or more prescription medications will now benefit under the expanded Medication Review Program. The program is a patient-care service in which a pharmacist meets one-on-one with a client to review his/her medication regime. The pharmacist conducts an assessment of all available medications to identify and resolve drug-related problems where possible.
“As an important part of health care delivery in the province, pharmacists can now help senior citizens manage their medications for a wide range of complex chronic conditions such as heart disease, arthritis, and diabetes. When a pharmacist can work with their patients by assisting with medication scheduling and explaining how treatments work and interact with each other, we will be able to increase their ability to live healthier and safer. All patients benefit when there is an increase in access to health care resources, such as pharmacists.”
- Greg Batt, President, Pharmacists’ Association of Newfoundland and Labrador
The new Medication Adherence Program will be implemented in the coming weeks for NLPDP beneficiaries who have been diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease where a medication has been prescribed for the first time. Pharmacists will have an initial consultation, as well as two follow-up appointments with the beneficiary to monitor the acceptance and use of the medication.
“We are pleased with the progress we are making with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador towards leveraging the knowledge and health care experience of our community pharmacists. The roll-out of these services is a positive step as we continue to work together on the implementation of other services such as providing immunizations, smoking cessation counselling, and assisting with minor ailments.”
- Stephen Reid, Executive Director, Pharmacists’ Association of Newfoundland and Labrador
Both initiatives address areas of the Chronic Disease Policy Framework introduced in 2011 as well as two of six recommendations from the Pharmacists’ Association of Newfoundland and Labrador’s report, The Pharmacist Option, which focuses on expanding the scope of practice for pharmacists in Newfoundland and Labrador.
QUICK FACTS
- Two new initiatives, to be delivered by pharmacists, are being implemented to benefit those with chronic illnesses who are covered by the Newfoundland and Labrador Prescription Drug Program.
- One-on-one medication management services will be provided for clients 65 and older with multiple chronic diseases and for clients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease who are starting a new medication for that illness.
- Prescription drug program beneficiaries over the age of 65, who have been diagnosed with a chronic illness and are taking three or more prescription medications for chronic conditions, will now be covered under the expanded Medication Review Program.
- A new Medication Adherence Program will be implemented to support NLPDP beneficiaries who have been diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.
- These initiatives represent two of six recommendations from the Pharmacists’ Association of Newfoundland and Labrador’s report regarding the expansion of the scope of practice for provincial pharmacists.
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Media contact:
| Heather MacLean Director of Communications Department of Health and Community Services 709-729-1377, 697-4137 heathermaclean@gov.nl.ca |
Stephen Reid Executive Director Pharmacists’ Association of Newfoundland and Labrador 709-753-7881 ext. 203 sreid@panl.net |
2014 07 15 10:30 a.m.