Sherif Guorgui
Co-CEO, OnPharm United
As health system pressures grow, independent pharmacies continue to deliver accessible, neighbourhood-based care Canadians rely on.
Pharmacy Appreciation Month is an opportunity to recognize the essential role independent pharmacies play in sustaining Canada’s health care system.
Over the past several years, the role of community pharmacy has fundamentally evolved. Independent pharmacies are no longer viewed solely as dispensing points. They are accessible, neighbourhood-based health care hubs delivering clinical services, advancing public health priorities, and expanding primary care capacity.
During the pandemic, pharmacies remained open and operational while much of the system was constrained. They ensured uninterrupted access to medications and supported testing and vaccination efforts at scale. That period did not redefine pharmacy. It revealed its system value.
Access where and when patients need it
With expanded scope of practice, pharmacists now assess and prescribe for minor ailments, conduct medication reviews, and provide timely interventions that prevent escalation of manageable health concerns. For many patients, particularly those without immediate access to a physician, the community pharmacy is the most accessible point of care.
As pressures on Canada’s health care system intensify, independent pharmacies are increasing capacity, improving access, and strengthening continuity of care. However, sustainability must remain central. Expanded clinical responsibility requires fair reimbursement, regulatory clarity, and policies that protect patient choice.
Pharmacy Appreciation Month should reinforce this reality and ensure pharmacy remains embedded as part of the long-term solution for Canadian health care.
To learn more, visit www.onpharmunited.ca.
