A pilot project in New Brunswick has demonstrated how pharmacist-led clinics can help individuals access healthcare more quickly and effectively.
Over the course of a year, six pharmacies participated in the project, managing common chronic conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). They also tested and treated patients for strep throat.
Anne-Marie Picone, executive director of the New Brunswick Pharmacists Association, stated that the pilot provided pharmacists the opportunity to fully utilize their expertise.
“People, I think, sometimes view pharmacists as merely pill counters or something similar, but we’re not that,” Picone said.
“This has demonstrated the level of experience and knowledge they possess, enabling them to work with the medication management strategies available to them.”
The clinics operated from August 2023 to September 2024. Data from the New Brunswick Institute for Research, Data and Training (NB-IRDT) indicated more than 10,000 appointments during the six-month reporting period.
Half of the patients were able to secure same-day appointments, and 88 per cent were seen within two days.
Picone remarked that this was particularly beneficial for patients who lacked a family doctor or nurse practitioner.
Patient surveys revealed that 100 per cent of individuals were satisfied with the care received and would recommend the clinics to others.
Picone explained pharmacists worked in separate clinic spaces within the pharmacies, allowing them to concentrate on patient care.
“The ability to assist patients to this extent was immensely fulfilling for the pharmacists involved,” she said.
The Executive Director also added that the pilot shows that it can help alleviate strain on the broader healthcare system.
For instance, Picone explained fewer individuals would require visits to emergency rooms, which can cost the system an average of $600 per patient visit.
Despite the success, the clinics received no funding from the government and were entirely self-financed by the participating pharmacies.
Without public funding, Picone stated that the future of these clinics remains uncertain, and they may have to shift to a fee-for-service model, which could make it more challenging for some patients to afford care.
Picone remains optimistic that pharmacist-led clinics can be incorporated into future healthcare plans.
“We believe these clinics can work alongside collaborative healthcare models, helping to alleviate the burden on other areas of the system and enhance access for patients,” she said.
Advocates like Picone hope the government will involve pharmacists in discussions on how to improve healthcare accessibility for everyone.
