REGINA — Pharmacy Appreciation Month celebrates the contributions of pharmacists who are often the first point of contact for patients.
"We recognize that pharmacists are highly trained and trusted professionals and in many communities, the pharmacy is the first point of contact to access health care," said Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill in a statement.
According to a press release, the province has collaborated with pharmacists on initiatives in recent years to improve patient care in the province, including the expansion of pharmacists' ability to prescribe for certain conditions.
Pharmacists were first granted the authority to prescribe for three minor ailments in 2012. Currently, Saskatchewan pharmacists can prescribe for 34 conditions such as cold sores, sinus infections, nausea and vomiting in pregnancy, bladder infections and shingles. The full list of conditions is available at the Government of Saskatchewan website.
Regulated pharmacy technicians and pharmacy assistants support pharmacists by performing a variety of technical and dispensary functions, which allow pharmacists to focus on working to their highest scope of practice.
There are more than 2,200 practicing pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in more than 430 licensed community pharmacies, hospitals and clinics across Saskatchewan.
