2024 Agenda and Speakers

7:15 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. Breakfast

Enjoy a heartier breakfast buffet to fuel your energy for a power-packed day ahead.

NEW START TIME @ 8:00 a.m.

President's welcome message with special guest

Opening our 2024 conference will be the BC Pharmacy Association's President Mike Huitema, who will introduce a special guest speaker.

Please be sure to join us at 8 a.m. for this address by our guest speaker.
 

Mike started his first term on the BCPhA Board of Directors in 2019 as an elected board member. He now serves as the 2024 President of the Association. 

Mike graduated from the University of Alberta with a BSc in Pharmacy in 2007. Growing up with both parents owning various small businesses, Mike has been involved in small community business his whole life.
 
After graduating from university, he lived and practiced in Kamloops, where he was the associate-owner of Shoppers Drug Mart #277 for more than 10 years.

In 2020, he moved to Salmon Arm, where he is now associate owner of Shoppers Drug Mart #248.

Dispensing Preparedness: A Prescription for Success in Community Pharmacy Disaster Response

The pandemic has thrust community pharmacists into a new light, reshaping public perception and positioning them as primary care providers. This shift becomes even more critical as pharmacies in British Columbia respond to patients affected by the recent onslaught of wildfires and flooding. In adapting to these emergencies, the question arises: How can pharmacists ensure they are prepared for the next significant crisis?

Embark on an enlightening journey into the vital domain of disaster preparedness led by Dr. Kaitlyn Watson, B. Pharmacy (Hons), PhD a disaster pharmacy researcher and Founder & CEO of Disaster Pharmacy Solutions. The focus encompasses exploring the evolving role of community pharmacists during crises, acquiring actionable approaches for effective disaster preparedness, and uncovering tailored self-care strategies and disaster response approaches designed specifically for pharmacies.

Learning Objectives:

At the end of the session, participants will be able to:

1. Explain the importance of disaster preparedness for health emergencies.
2. Describe pharmacists’ roles and responsibilities in health emergencies.

A Nova Scotia perspective: Pharmacists as primary care providers and pharmacy clinics

Nova Scotia, like many provinces, faces a primary care crisis with 15 per cent of its population waiting for a family doctor or nurse practitioner and emergency departments facing pressures. In 2023, the government announced a pilot project of primary care clinics in pharmacies where pharmacists provide publicly funded treatments for minor ailments and chronic disease. Allison Bodnar, CEO of the Pharmacy Association of Nova Scotia (PANS), which partnered with the government, will talk about the initiative, and provide key learnings.

Learning Objectives:

At the end of the session, participants will be able to:

1. Describe the NS Community Pharmacy Primary Care program and the planned next steps for the delivery of primary care by pharmacists in Nova Scotia
2. Explain the barriers and enablers to the delivery of primary care in Nova Scotia pharmacies

Take a 15-minute break and grab a coffee or tea. Check emails and stretch your legs before the next session.

Gender-Affirming Care: Fostering Inclusive Pharmacy Practices

This session will foster an understanding of barriers to care experienced by transgender individuals while accessing health care services and pharmacy services in Canada. Join James Morrison BScH BScPhm RPh, as we learn key terms, concepts, and therapies, along with strategies for supporting transgender, Two-Spirit and non-binary individuals within pharmacy settings.  

There will be a focus on providing minor ailments and contraception services for transgender patients in an affirming manner.

Learning Objectives:

At the end of the session, participants will be able to:

1. Understand barriers to pharmacy care facing trans, Two-Spirit and non-binary patients
2. Identify three ways to incorporate gender-affirming care into your practice

Enjoy lunch and mingling with others at the BCPhA's tradeshow, where you'll have the opportunity to talk business with this year's conference sponsors and exhibitors.

Ministry of Health Pharmaceutical Services Update

Each year, B.C.'s community pharmacists and pharmacy owners look forward to hearing an update from the Ministry of Health's Pharmaceutical Laboratory & Blood Services Division, whose policies impact pharmacies and pharmacists on a daily basis.

Joining us again this year is Mitch Moneo, Assistant Deputy Minister of the Division, who will give attendees an important overview of the work done by his team and what's on the horizon.

The Pharmaceutical, Laboratory & Blood Services Division, colloquially referred to as PharmaCare in pharmacy circles, is responsible for a robust and effective policy framework for both pharmaceutical services (including gene therapies, health authority pharmaceutical and life support therapies) and the PharmaCare public drug program.

Learning Objectives:

1. Update on Ministry of Health initiatives regarding pharmacy
2. Vision for pharmacy future role regarding primary care

Coffee and Tea Break

Medications for Weight Loss

This session will focus on drug information applicable to adults who may be considering medications that reduce body weight (limitations of body mass index, pediatrics, nutrition, and exercise interventions are beyond the scope of this session).

Dr. Chen Shen, PharmD, BSc. Pharm, BSc. Biochem, BA. Psych will discuss current evidence to guide prescribing and deprescribing decisions, compare clinical considerations when choosing between medications, and discuss dosing, dose response, timing of weight loss effect, effect after stopping, and cost of medications. After this session, participants will be able to thoughtfully discuss, prescribe, monitor, and manage the current and upcoming medications for weight loss.

Learning Objectives:

At the end of the session, participants will be able to:

1.  Apply current evidence to guide prescribing and deprescribing decisions for tirzepatide, semaglutide, liraglutide, naltrexone-bupropion and orlistat.
2. Compare clinical considerations when choosing between medications.
3. Discuss dosing, dose response, timing of weight loss effect, effect after stopping, and cost. 

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Vaccination: A new pathway to protect infants and older adults

Infectious diseases have been on everyone’s minds over the past several years thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) has been particularly troublesome.

Recent surges of RSV infection have been affecting a wider range of people, and RSV has become increasingly dangerous. Dr. Colleen Dy, OBGYN, will discuss the individual and societal burden caused by RSV infections in Canada, the importance of vaccination to reduce RSV-related morbidity and mortality, and recommendations for RSV vaccination to appropriate individuals based on indications.

Learning Objectives:

At the end of the session, participants will be able to:

1. Explain the individual and societal burden caused by RSV infections in Canada.
2. Describe the benefits of maternal vaccination to reduce RSV-related morbidity and mortality in infants.
3. Recognize the lack of treatments and the unmet need of RSV vaccination in older adults.
4. Recommend RSV vaccination to appropriate individuals based on indications.

A Prescription for Robust Cyber Risk Hygiene

Cyber security attacks are on the rise and in the news, and any organization with an online presence can be a potential target. Pharmacies are a treasure trove of sensitive patient data, and recent cases in the news have shown that they are a prime target for cyber attack.

George Bozanin and Chris Hendricks from Coalition Inc. will examine how pharmacies can harden their strong security posture in an effort to protect patient information, as well as highlight the importance of a robust standalone cyber insurance policy so as to protect and mitigate against future loss in a society that is undergoing unprecedented digital transformation.

Learning Objectives:

At the end of the session, participants will be able to:

1. Explain the importance of purchasing a robust standalone cyber insurance policy to compliment a company’s security controls
2. Identify ways to mitigate cyber risk with an emphasis on the healthcare sector

 mRNA Vaccines: Decoding the Future of Immunizations and Next-Generation RNA Vaccines and Therapies

Messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines were shown to be safe and effective during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there are still many challenges in the field of RNA medicines. In this session, Anna Blakney and Linda Gutenberg will discuss the challenges in the field, approaches to overcome these limitations and the exciting potential applications of RNA therapeutics.

Learning Objectives: 

1. Best practices in vaccine storage, handling, temperature requirements, and administration.
2. The role of pharmacists in dispelling common misconceptions regarding mRNA vaccines, tackling vaccine hesitancy and patient education.
3. Define challenges in the field of RNA medicine.
4. Identify approaches to overcome immunogenicity of RNA formulations and imagine the possibilities for RNA therapeutics.

This year's AGM will be held in-person at our annual conference. This is a members' only event.

Mingle with colleagues and enjoy appetizers and drinks. (Drink tickets plus cash bar)

Join colleagues for a sit down dinner and celebrate the winners of BCPhA's 2024 Pharmacy Excellence Awards. (Winners will be announced at the dinner.)