Many Canadians are unable to access a family doctor and those who do, must contend with long wait times and minimal time with their physician. Those with complex, chronic conditions are particularly vulnerable, as the lack of coordinated care options places a burden on both patients and the healthcare system.

Over the past decade, the UBC Pharmacists Clinic has helped fill these crucial gaps in healthcare by providing comprehensive care and helping patients understand and optimize their medication regimens. With its unique model of community outreach and dedicated team, the clinic is now poised for growth.

“The impact of the clinic has been tremendous in terms of advancing pharmacy care in the province,” says Dr. Teri Charrois, Professor of Teaching and Associate Dean, Practice Innovation. “We have modelled different types of care which have been applied province-wide—for example, the pharmacists in Primary Care Network (PCN) program model was based on the success of pharmacists in our clinic”

The Pharmacists Clinic offers extended appointments for in-depth consultations, which more effectively addresses patients’ complex needs compared to traditional care models. The Clinic delivers personalized care plans to ensure medications are well-coordinated with other healthcare providers to provide comprehensive support

As primary care challenges persist in BC, Teri believes that expanding the clinic can play a pivotal role in addressing the growing gaps in patient care and health outcomes for everyone. She envisions that this growth can be fueled by individuals and organizations with a passion for improving healthcare.

“With further support, we can grow our programs, especially around patients who don’t have primary healthcare providers,” says Teri.

The clinic also plans to develop new models of care and enhance pharmacy student education, ensuring that future pharmacists are well-prepared to meet diverse patient healthcare needs. For students like Joycelyn Lac, the opportunity to collaborate on a project with hospital-based pharmacists was transformative.

“It was very meaningful work!” says Joycelyn. “While the pharmacists can help support patients in the hospital, they lack the necessary resources to follow up post-discharge. That’s where the pharmacists here at the clinic were able to step in.”

Patients like Ian Tregunna, who has a complex medical history involving multiple specialists and many medications, have found the clinic to be a lifesaver.

“I take 13 different daily medications and have five different specialists. The clinic is a great resource for reviewing and managing my medications effectively,” says Ian.

Sharon Amrolia, another patient, speaks about the clinic’s role in managing her ongoing health concerns.

“The pharmacists here take the time to understand my medical history and medications, and they provide invaluable advice on managing side effects and interactions,” says Sharon. “Having access to a pharmacist who is knowledgeable and can spend time with me has made all the difference in my healthcare journey.”

Dr. Jamie Yuen, assistant director of the Pharmacists Clinic, finds this focus on connecting with the patient to be a two-way street. “Being able to have one full hour with them to talk about their medications and their concerns about their medical conditions has been really rewarding.”

By developing new models of care and enhancing student education, the clinic ensures it will continue to serve as a crucial healthcare resource. Investing in the UBC Pharmacists Clinic helps improve healthcare access and outcomes for countless patients across BC.

Joy Pascual, a former training facilitator at the clinic, knows that future growth will bridge the growing gap in primary care for patients: “They will definitely appreciate the kind of service that the clinic team can give to them—and it will be far beyond what they are expecting.”