Science
Disgruntled Dan’s Conclusions: Pharmacists in Alberta, Canada have one of the most advanced scopes of practice in the world. With this scope of practice pharmacists can proactively, and systematically identify, and manage patients with uncontrolled diabetes, HTN, and those at an increased risk of CV disease. The ability to independently assess and prescribe allows pharmacists to help ease the burden of care on physicians and other healthcare providers and strengthen interprofessional care. This has the potential to increase efficiencies and provide substantial cost savings within our healthcare system. As one of the most accessible healthcare providers, there is an opportunity for pharmacists to develop new and innovative practices that can enhance patient care! I hope to continue seeing the scope of practice here in Alberta being adopted and built upon in other jurisdictions worldwide! References Marra, C., Johnston, K., Santschi, V. & Tsuyuki, R. T. Cost-effectiveness of pharmacist care for managing hypertension in Canada. Can. Pharm. J. / Rev. des Pharm. du Canada 171516351770110 (2017). doi:10.1177/1715163517701109 Tsuyuki, R. T., Jones, C. A., Hemmelgarn, B. & Hamarneh, Y. N. Al. The Alberta Vascular Risk Reduction Community Pharmacy Project: R x EACH. (2013). Tsuyuki, R. T. et al. Randomized Trial of the Effect of Pharmacist Prescribing on Improving Blood Pressure in the CommunityCLINICAL PERSPECTIVE. Circulation 132, 93–100 (2015). Al Hamarneh, Y. N., Charrois, T., Lewanczuk, R. & Tsuyuki, R. T. Pharmacist intervention for glycaemic control in the community (the RxING study). BMJ Open 3, e003154 (2013). Al Hamarneh, Y. N., Sauriol, L. & Tsuyuki, R. T. After the diabetes care trial ends, now what? A 1-year follow-up of the RxING study. BMJ Open 5, e008152 (2015).