B.C. celebrates community pharmacists in the Legislature

May 1, 2025 Media Releases

May 1, 2025

The BC Pharmacy Association is celebrating community pharmacists in the Legislature today in Victoria. With community pharmacists from around the province, joined by government leaders, the BC Pharmacy Association will be highlighting the important work community pharmacists provide in British Columbia and opportunities to work with government to improve patient care in the future.

“If the past few years have shown us anything it’s that pharmacists are more than just the individuals who fill your prescription,” said Pharmacist Colleen Hogg, Chair of the BC Pharmacy Association. “We’re health professionals, part of the team here in B.C. providing accessible care that everyone deserves.”

The BC Pharmacy Association will be set up in the Hall of Honour in the Legislature to answer questions, provide recommendations and celebrate the big wins community pharmacists have provided for patients across B.C.

“I’m extremely grateful for the leaders from around the Province meeting with community pharmacists today,” Hogg said. “The BC Pharmacy association strives to be a positive partner, and thanks to this government, pharmacists are part of striving for the best health care right here in B.C.”

The celebration on May 1 happens prior to the Association’s 2025 Annual Conference. This year's theme is Adapting for Tomorrow. From expanding scopes of practice to embracing new technologies, the conference provides insights into how pharmacists can thrive in an evolving health-care landscape, providing patients in B.C. with the best and leading-edge health care possible.

Josie Osbourne, Minister of Health shared: “Whether it’s the fall immunization campaign, treating minor ailments or responding to both the overdose and COVID-19 public health emergencies, community pharmacists in B.C. have stepped up again and again. I’m looking forward to my colleagues in the house having the chance to learn more about the critical role of these health-care professionals.”

 

For Media Inquiries:

Angie Gaddy
Executive Director, Communications
(604) 542-3251
angie.gaddy@bcpharmacy.ca

BACKGROUNDER

Quick Facts:

  • Since expanding the role of community pharmacists, more than 312,900 patients have been treated by a pharmacist in their community for minor ailments and contraceptives in the first year.
     
  • 15% of all regular contraception users are estimated to be accessing it through pharmacists, so they don’t need to visit a family doctor or nurse practitioner.
     
  • During the 2024 cold and flu season, pharmacists were the leading providers of immunizations for COVID-19 and flu vaccines. As of March 2025, B.C. pharmacists provided 85% of the more than 1.1 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines and 1.3 million doses of influenza vaccines.

Learn More:

How people in B.C. want pharmacists to be able to provide more treatment, easing the burden on primary care: https://www.bcpharmacy.ca/news/2024publicpoll

Minor ailments, including contraception that can now be provided at a pharmacy: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2023HLTH0071-001951

Scope of practice expansion for pharmacists: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2023HLTH0074-000859

Pharmacists Prescribing for Minor Ailments and Contraception (PPMAC) 1 year overview: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/health/health-drug-coverage/pharmacare/ppmac_1_year.pdf

What Pharmacists are saying:

Pharmacist Kylee Power, Nanaimo
“Having the ability to renew prescriptions for more medications means I can make sure my patients, especially those without a family doctor, are able continue taking their medications without interruption. It frees up valuable space in walk-in clinics and emergency departments.”

Pharmacist Mike Huitema, Salmon Arm
“Patients have loved being able to visit their pharmacist for a prescription for contraceptives. My pharmacy is open late and on weekends, and I’m happy to be a convenient health-care provider they can access when they need me.”

Pharmacist Justin Dovale, Kelowna
“B.C. pharmacists have saved lives. We’ve delivered millions of flu and COVID-19 vaccines when patients have needed us the most.”

 

About the BC Pharmacy Association: 

The BC Pharmacy Association represents more than 5,000 community pharmacists, pharmacies, and pharmacy students across British Columbia.

About the BC Pharmacy Association:

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