Government Relations and Advocacy Program

For more than a decade, the BC Pharmacy Association’s advocacy program is aimed at helping provincial decision makers understand the role of community pharmacists in British Columbia.

The BCPhA staff work to arrange meetings and tours with local MLAs and cabinet ministers so they can can understand policy issues that impact community pharmacy. The BCPhA staff also meet with senior political advisors and department officials to present proposals and ideas that help community pharmacists. Association staff also advocate to the College of Pharmacists of British Columbia on regulatory issues important to the profession.

The Association helps support members by reaching out to government officials, arranging tours with pharmacy members, and providing background on key issues, Additionally a staff member will attend tours (whenever possible) to take photos and support members. Hosting tours is one of the best ways to help those unfamiliar with community pharmacy understand the important role pharmacists play in patients' access to care.

Our goal is to ensure community pharmacy’s voice is heard during the development of BC’s health-care policies and to ensure the continuing economic viability of pharmacy in the province.

If you're a member and would like to learn more or get involved, contact Executive Director, Communications  Angie Gaddy.

Julia Zhu, pharmacy operations manager, Wellness Pharmacy Joyce, Vancouver

It was an honour meeting Minister Adrian Dix and discussing the pharmacist minor ailment and contraceptive prescribing initiative. It provided an opportunity for the Minister to see the work we do at the frontline at Wellness Pharmacy, and for the pharmacy team to understand the Ministry’s position. The visit felt like a moment of true collaboration toward achieving the common goal of improving patient care and access, especially in light of the current healthcare crisis. I appreciate BPChA for arranging this valuable experience, and highly recommend other pharmacies to invite their MLAs to visit. 

Maria Kwari, pharmacy owner, Pharmasave Hillside, Victoria

Minister Rob Fleming's visit to our pharmacy was a valuable opportunity for us to show him firsthand what we do to help our community.  During his visit, Minister Fleming commented multiple times that he did not realize how busy the pharmacy was.  It was a great chance for him to see that many people rely on the pharmacy for their healthcare needs.  He was engaged in learning what pharmacists can do to help the healthcare system and excited that we will be prescribing for minor ailments soon.  I would encourage other pharmacies to reach out to their MLAs as this was an excellent way to advocate for our profession. 

Moh Kazem, pharmacy manager, Shoppers Drug Mart #2277, Vancouver

This was a very rewarding experience to see how engaged members of the B.C. Legislature are in helping support and learn more about day to day experiences that pharmacists and pharmacy teams provide for our fellow Canadians. Our whole team found the experience tremendously valuable, and we were happy to hear about the initiatives that the minister was a part of to provide better access to contraceptive coverage for B.C. residents. Minister Brenda Bailey was also excited about the increased scope of practice that pharmacists have adopted for the province and how it has resulted in decreased hospitalization and better access to healthcare resources. If given the opportunity, our team would highly recommend other pharmacies to take part in this opportunity to invite their local MLA’s out to meet their teams to advocate for Canadians and the profession of pharmacy.