Media

Media Information / Media Kit

Media Inquiries

To connect with a BC Pharmacy Association spokesperson for comments on issues, news releases or for general media inquiries, please contact:

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

Media Releases

– Poll finds vast majority of British Columbians support pharmacists being able to do more

Vancouver (May 15, 2024) — Nearly one year after B.C.’s pharmacists were able to prescribe for minor ailments and contraceptives, the vast majority of British Columbians say they support B.C. pharmacists being able to offer more services at their local pharmacy. In a survey commissioned by the BC Pharmacy Association and conducted by Stratcom between April 22 and April 25, 2024, nearly 90% of respondents said they support community pharmacists being able to offer more patient care services like the ability to order lab tests and provide point-of-care testing for things like strep throat in...

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– B.C. community pharmacies on track to deliver similar COVID-19 and flu vaccines as last year

Vancouver (Dec. 4, 2023) — B.C. community pharmacists are on track to deliver the same number of COVID-19 and flu vaccines as last year, which saw record-breaking numbers. As was the case last year, patients were able to receive their flu and COVID vaccines at the same time meaning they were able to be well-protected going into the fall and winter respiratory season. B.C.’s vaccine campaign started earlier than other provinces, with a launch date of Oct. 10, 2023. More than 1,340 community pharmacies across the province have participated in this year’s annual respiratory virus vaccination...

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– B.C. community pharmacists deliver more than 1 million vaccines in less than a month

Vancouver (Oct. 31, 2023) — British Columbia’s community pharmacists have hit record numbers and delivered almost 85 per cent of the province’s COVID and influenza vaccinations, having administered more than 1 million doses since launching the annual respiratory illness campaign on Oct. 10. “We have seen a great demand from the public who are wanting to protect themselves from both COVID-19 and flu this year,” says Chris Chiew, President of the BC Pharmacy Association. “Pharmacists are pleased to continue to be the major provider of vaccines to the public. We are one of the most accessible...

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– B.C. pharmacists ready to prescribe for minor ailments and contraception

(Vancouver) May 31, 2023 — Starting tomorrow, June 1, community pharmacists across British Columbia will be able to prescribe for contraception and many minor ailments, like indigestion, cold sores, mild acne, and uncomplicated urinary tract infections. This expanded access means British Columbians can visit a local pharmacy to see their pharmacist for a prescription for any one of 21 minor ailments or contraception. This change helps relieve the burden on the B.C.’s primary care system and emergency rooms and allows patients convenient access to get treatment for common ailments. “Pharmacists...

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– Keep yourself and family healthy during unprecedented demand for cough and cold medications

With limited supply of cough and cold medications in some parts of Canada, it's important to take additional measures to keep you and your family safe, says the BC Pharmacy Association. “This season, we have seen a surge in respiratory illnesses such as COVID-19, influenza and RSV. It’s even more important now, when supplies of cough and cold medications are limited, to do everything we can to keep ourselves safe,” says Chris Chiew, President of the BC Pharmacy Association. “During the pandemic, many of us learned how to take precautions against getting sick. This includes frequent hand...

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