Many of you will have watched British Columbia’s election results closely, as I have.
It's an important time in our province and in our profession. I believe we are assured that while there has been significant change in the political make-up of our province, there is also certainty.
When government resumes its legislative sessions, community pharmacists should be assured that we will be greeted by the same governing body that has worked with us over its previous terms to advance pharmacy for the benefit of British Columbia’s health care system.
The past few years have been filled with change. Our profession is doing more than ever before, and I know many in our profession are eager to see fees, for example the dispensing fee, be increased to reflect the additional costs, demands and workload that are affecting pharmacists today.
Moving into 2025, I know the staff at the Association have and are continuing to present proposals on topics such as an increase in fees, better support for rural pharmacies, and a continued expansion of the pharmacists’ scope of practice.
I believe that the re-elected government understands how new pressures and challenges affect our profession, and I believe they are sympathetic to our requests. I had the pleasure of meeting past health minister Adrian Dix at our Association annual conference in May, where he spoke during our opening session.
During his speech, Dix recognized our proposals and committed to continuing his office’s work to find opportunities to ensure the economics of community pharmacy is stable, while advancing the work we do to provide more patient care.
As a member of the profession and as a member of the Association’s Board of Directors, what has been clear to me is that our profession is in a better place now than it was in the past. New pharmacy graduates today can practice to a greater scope in B.C. than at any time in the past. New services are broadening the revenue streams that pharmacies can tap into. The types of services a patient can receive in a community pharmacy has never been greater.
I believe the next four years will continue to see our profession grow, and I am excited for the future.
Mike Huitema
Chair
BC Pharmacy Association