2023 Agenda and Speakers

Shortly after graduating from the pharmacy program at the University of Alberta in 1994, Chris joined London Drugs.

Since then, he has served 26 years, first as a pharmacist, then assistant pharmacy manager, pharmacy manager, pharmacy operations manager, General Manager, Pharmacy before moving into his current position as Vice President - Pharmacy and Healthcare Innovation at London Drugs.

In addition, Chris also serves on the Board of Directors of the Neighbourhood Pharmacy Association of Canada, where he is Chair of the Audit and Finance Committee.

Jaris Swidrovich is an Assistant Professor, Teaching Stream, in the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy at the University of Toronto. He is a queer, Two Spirit, Saulteaux and Ukrainian pharmacist from Yellow Quill First Nation. He is the founder and Chair of the Indigenous Pharmacy Professionals of Canada and Co-Scientific Director of nātawihowin First Nations Research Network.

He received a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from the University of Saskatchewan and a post-baccalaureate Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of Toronto. His areas of research and practice include HIV/AIDS, substance use disorders, 2SLGBTQ+ health, Indigenous health, social determinants of health, and health professions education. Dr. Swidrovich is also a PhD Candidate in Education at the University of Saskatchewan, where he is studying Indigenous Peoples’ experiences with pharmacy education in Canada.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify critical terminology relevant to the state of Indigenous health and reconciliation in healthcare
• Identify previous and current government policies responsible for the current cap in healthcare for Indigenous patients
• Identify strategies on how pharmacy professionals can contribute to Truth and Reconciliation through the provision of culturally safe care

After leaving the premier’s office, she worked in communications consulting, for the premier’s office in B.C., and the Doctors of B.C. (previously the BC Medical Association) as the director of communications and public affairs. She joined the BC Pharmacy Association in January 2012 as the CEO. In her role, she advocates for the advancement of the professional and economic advancement of community pharmacies in the Province.

A persuasive influencer with focus, vision and an effective communication style in support of organizational growth. Justin began his career in the advertising and marketing space before transitioning into the health insurance industry. Justin worked in a variety of capacities in the health insurance sector including as a consultant for a pharmacy benefit manager and as a principal in a health benefits third party administrator and insurance brokerage.

Justin’s introduction to working in the pharmacy advocacy field occurred in 2005 while engaging in cross industry initiatives with pharmacy associations and it was here that brought together his passion for healthcare with a platform to advocate for sustainable solutions. In 2006, he joined the Canadian Association of Chain Drug Stores (as Neighbourhood Pharmacies was known).

He has spent the last 18 years advocating on behalf of the pharmacy industry by executing strategic initiatives and achieving economic sustainability while developing strong pharmacy sector relationships with all stakeholders.

In addition to a bachelor’s degree in political science and psychology, Justin holds a negotiation certificate from the Harvard Negotiation Institute and has completed the Institute of Corporate Directors and the University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management, Executive Program: Not for Profit Governance Essentials Program.  He was selected as one of the 2019 Leaders in Pharmacy and serves as a Director on the Canadian Foundation for Pharmacy Board.

Erin continues to practice pharmacy on a relief basis in Prince Edward Island, and serves as a pharmacist volunteer in rural Tanzania as part of the Canada-Africa Community Health Alliance (CACHA) team. 

Sue practiced for many years prior to that in the community as part of the McGill and Orme pharmacy chain on the island that later joined the Katz group as part of their Rexall arm of service delivery. Pharmacy practice excellence is a focus of her day to day work and enhanced community pharmacy service activities are a huge component of what she is accountable for and excited to be working on in her current role at the Ministry.

Sue is passionate about pharming with a “ph” and about farming with a “f” and on her off hours you can find her puttering about on her hobby farm (Double Dutch Farm) located on the Peninsula. If you are in the capital area she encourages to pop by for a visit as she is always up for a chat about anything pharm/farm related!

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the most recent changes in PharmaCare policy relevant to community pharmacies including details around
  • the COVID vaccination booster campaign
  • the expansion of scope around prescription adaptation
  • the expansion of scope around administration of injections

Mona received her BSc(Pharm) and MSc from the University of British Columbia and her Clinical Doctorate in Pharmacy from the University of Florida. Her passion is in enhancing the quality of patient care, promoting collaborative interprofessional teams, good governance, policy, education, and mentorship.

Mona provides cross-sectional support with the BCCSU teams in clinical, education and research. She has supported guideline development/review and educational initiatives including the BCCSU Guideline for the Clinical Management of Opioid Addiction, the BCCSU Guideline on the Management of Alcohol Use Disorder and the BC ECHO on Substance Use series.

Learning Objectives:

• Reflect on pharmacists’ roles in managing overdose risk within their practice
• Discuss the different types of prescribed safer alternatives in practice
• Discuss changes and updates since the initial 2017 BCCSU OUD guidelines

Bryce was also responsible for supporting the BCPhA effort’s to manage and coordinate the delivery of the COVID-19 vaccination and influenza programs in community pharmacies over the past two years. He also has oversight over the development and delivery of training and education programs delivered by the BCPhA such as the BC Community Pharmacy Manager Training program, Opioid Agonist Treatment Compliance and Management Program for Pharmacy, Regulatory Bootcamp and Administration of Injections training program.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify all training materials on minor ailments prescribing available to community pharmacists pre-launch and where to access them
• Describe the full list of minor ailments and the specific drug classes from which pharmacists will be able to prescribe in June