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the changing role of pharmacists and pharmacy techs: 'needed for a long time'
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pharmacists and pharmacy techs wear many hats, far more than what people realize.
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when you walk into a pharmacy to pick up medication, you likely see people behind the counter counting out pills, talking on the phone or filling orders. it looks pretty simple to the untrained eye. but pharmacists and pharmacy technicians do far more than people realize.
“i often say that there are many times a pharmacist has saved your life and you have no idea,” said mary ore adegboyega, a dual-licensed pharmacist and founder of the
black pharmacy professionals of canada.
pharmacists and pharmacy techs wear many hats, far more than what people realize. the role has also changed drastically in recent years to reflect the knowledge and skill set they offer, alongside the needs of canada’s patient population.
the hidden roles of retail pharmacists
a pharmacy is just one side of the work that these medical professionals do. but they don’t just simply fill prescriptions. in its simplest form, the role is not only to ensure a person gets the medicine, but also that it’s the right medicine for that person based on their health history.
“doctors make mistakes, nurses make mistakes,” said adegboyega. “we look for errors. we look for mistakes.”
sometimes even a system can make a mistake, and it’s vital when handing out medicines that pharmacists, who are the last stop between a person and that specific drug, are able to confidently hand it over knowing that all the bases were covered.
“we look at what the doctor has given you, and we just check, ‘okay, is this medication prescribed for the right person? is this the right dose? is it correct in terms of the indications?’” said adegboyega. “we have training and knowledge to understand diseases and be able to match the correct drugs and the correct treatment for the disease we’re treating.”
pharmacists also rely heavily on pharmacy techs in retail settings because they speak with patients and consult on everything from medications to health concerns patients aren’t sure about.
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“that’s where the brilliant and amazing pharmacy technicians come in because they support us in ensuring that we get the full history of the patient,” said adegboya, noting that from there, they can help determine if what is being prescribed is what should be taken.
pharmacists and techs can also help further. for example, someone who is feeling ill can visit a pharmacy, speak with the pharmacist, and be told whether they should seek other medical care or receive a prescription on the spot for minor illnesses or health concerns.
“many times, as we know, specifically in ontario because that’s where i’m based, we have this issue with being able to get appointments with physicians. patients are struggling. now, especially as we’re entering the winter season, it’s a season where people get sick all the time, so many different bugs and kids get sick,” said adegboyega. “walk-in clinics get clogged up. many people don’t realize that pharmacists can actually support in seasons like that.”
from prescribing nicorette to people who are trying to quit smoking to providing prescriptions through the minor ailments program for things such as cold sores and urinary tract infections, people can skip the line at the walk-in altogether. they can also support those looking to improve their health with over-the-counter nutritional supplements and provide some minor testing.
“some pharmacies also provide blood pressure checking … [and] can also help you with checking your cholesterol, and i think that’s very important for people to know because sometimes we spend so much time waiting and waiting for an appointment for a doctor or we think we have to go but many times a pharmacist can help you get started on figuring out what’s going on with you.”
there are limitations, though. but pharmacists and techs know a lot about diseases and symptoms, so they can recognize “red flags” that go “beyond my scope.”
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“we can always refer you,” said adegboyega. “i can refer you to a physician. i can refer you to a dietician if that’s what you need. i can refer you to a nurse if you need to see someone in clinic.”
essentially, the pharmacy can be a first stop on the way to finding adequate care because what they can support they will, and what they can’t they’ll let you know that you need to see someone, eliminating the in-between many people often feel when unwell of whether they should ride it out at home or head to their nearest walk-in or emergency hospital.
in hospital, pharmacists and techs support in other ways
while pharmacists in hospitals also get a patient’s full medical picture, they also work closely with physicians and other health professionals in a way that provides the best possible outcomes when it comes to patients and their medications.
“we actually recommend treatments to the physicians. so, we will say this patient has pneumonia, these are the things that are recommended based on studies and based on research that will work for this patient,” said adegboyega. “sometimes we could say, ‘this patient is of aboriginal background, or they’re black. these medications are not suited to these individuals. why not try this one?’”
it’s a collaborative effort among pharmacists, pharmacy techs, physicians and nurses who work together toward the common goal of helping each patient get the treatment and medication they need, when they need it.
“we don’t only learn about the drugs. we actually learn about the diseases that these drugs are used to treat. so, we have an idea when you’re [the patient] talking to me, and you’re telling me some of your symptoms, i’m like, ‘okay, i’m putting two and two together.’”
addressing an overburdened system through changing roles
the health-care system continues to face access challenges, so much so that many people rely heavily on medical professionals on social media for health advice.
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but when it comes to knowing what advice to follow, adegboyega wants to remind people that social media information isn’t a substitute for care, nor does it provide the “full picture” because it isn’t personalized.
adegboyega says to take that information with a grain of salt and always check with a licensed provider to ensure it’s correct and applies to your personal health situation. she used the example of quitting smoking, something she spends a lot of time focused on and talking about in her own time, including as a guest on a recent podcast called
the big quit by nicorette
, dedicated to inspiring canadians to live smoke-free.
“if i’m someone who is struggling with smoking and i just need support, if you listen to the [big quit] podcast and i said something, take it back to your pharmacist in your local store and say, ‘okay, i heard this pharmacist say this. how can i tailor this to me? how can i make it work for my lifestyle?’”
the changes that have allowed pharmacists to prescribe medication and provide more adequate support on the job were “needed for a very long time.” adegboyega, who first worked in the united kingdom, saw those changes a while ago, and now that they are in canada, the benefits are immense.
and both pharmacists and pharmacy techs are required to keep the machine running at full capacity.
“pharmacists are doing more clinical stuff, so i’m taking a patient into a consultation room, and i’m asking them questions about their health and what they need, what they need support with and trying to essentially diagnose and then prescribe from a minor ailments list based on what the patient has told me,” said adegboyega. “now think of that and think what’s happening in the store, whilst the pharmacist is in the room with this patient.”
they support workflow, ensure calls are answered, take down referral notes for the pharmacist and help patients still waiting in line. without them, the pharmacist couldn’t pick up the slack in a system that has become increasingly difficult for canadians seeking prompt medical care.
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“the workload is more for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. the training that’s required is intensified, for sure, but we’re seeing that patients are finding it more beneficial,” said adegboyega. “the goal is to hopefully see less wait times in walk-in clinics and less visits because patients can come into a pharmacy … it’s only going to get better in terms of more people have an understanding of what pharmacists can do for them … and less stress or pressure on hospitals and clinics.”
the number of tests and supports pharmacists can offer is only increasing, with some provinces allowing pharmacists to test blood sugar levels and take blood tests for people seeking care. by giving pharmacists more freedom to use their skill set, canadians can get faster care for health issues that don’t require a full emergency visit but shouldn’t be left unchecked.
“pharmacists are here to support you. pharmacy technicians are doing a fantastic job to support the workflow, and pharmacists are your first point of contact when it comes to health. you don’t have to book an appointment. you can walk in, and we’re here to support and guide you through your journey,” she said.
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