Free flu shots, a bigger role in health care: Survey shows support for pharmacists

A survey commissioned by pharmacistshas found that Newfoundlanders and Labradorianswant the people dispensing pills in their drugstores totake on more responsibility.

• Pharmacists say they can do more and save the province money

"We wanted to gauge awareness of the public in Newfoundland and Labrador on what services pharmacists can now provide to see if they're aware," saidGlendaPower, executive director of the Pharmacists Association of Newfoundland and Labrador.

"A lot of the things have been changing over the last few years."

The study waspaid for by the Canadian Pharmacists Association and conducted by Abacus Data.

Trusting of pharmacists

Power said the findings showed that97 per cent of Newfoundlanders andLabradorianshavea positive impression of their pharmacist.

"What we're seeing is that Newfoundlanders andLabradoriansare generally aware of what pharmacists can provide, are very supportive of expanded scope," she said.

The study also asked if residents would support allocating government money in it's health care budget forpharmacists to provide flu shots and prescribe for minor ailments.

'Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are generally very supportive of expanded scope.'- Glenda Power, PANL executive director

"When asked how much would they trust pharmacists to give a flu vaccine, the Newfoundland respondents rated pharmacists 20 per cent higher in the trust factor than the rest of Canada," said Power.

"And, overwhelmingly, 94 per cent said 'hey Premier Ball, we should be able to go to a pharmacy and get our flu shot without paying.'"

Flu shots in pharmacies not covered

She said currently, residents not covered by the Newfoundland and Labrador Prescription Drug Program have to pay a fee for a flu shot in a pharmacy. That's not the case in a clinic or doctor's office.

Power said PANL is sending a copy of the survey to the premier and she thinks the province would be open to using pharmacists to provide expanded health care services, to cut costs.

Pharmacists can now assess and prescribe for 29 different minor ailments, but Power said the list could be expanded, and pharmacists could alsogive vaccines and order lab tests for blood work.