Health and Community Services
March 15, 2017

The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable John Haggie, Minister of Health and Community Services:

Minister Recognizes Pharmacist Awareness Month

Mr. Speaker, March is Pharmacist Awareness Month in Canada.

There are approximately 700 registered pharmacists in our province and they are valuable contributors to the health care system. I am pleased to take this opportunity to recognize their important work.

Mr. Speaker, the expertise of pharmacists goes well beyond dispensing medicines. As front line care providers, pharmacists play a major role helping people manage their most valuable possession – their health.

Pharmacists are trusted voices and leaders in their community. Our government is committed to enabling pharmacists to work to their full scope of practice and we are on the road to achieving this.

They are important members of primary health care teams, working on population health needs to better manage chronic conditions; and they are valued partners in the design of the prescription monitoring program and pharmacy network – vital tools in the fight against opioid abuse.

By continuing to work together with pharmacists, I know together we will positively affect the health care system in our province, leading to better health outcomes and a healthier population.

I ask all members in this Honourable House to join me today in marking March as Pharmacist Awareness Month.

Thank you.

2017 03 15                              2:25 p.m.