P.E.I. pharmacists 'very pleased' with public support for new services

Atlantic Canadians overwhelmingly support and trust their pharmacists, even more than those living in other parts of the country, a new survey suggests.

• Pharmacy flu shots still popular in P.E.I.
• Pharmacist services expanding this fall

The survey was released by the Canadian Pharmacists Association and was conducted across Canada by Abacus Data in February.

"We are very pleased with the survey results," said Erin MacKenzie, executive director of the Prince Edward Island Pharmacists Association, via written release Monday.

"The public has shown overwhelming support for the pharmacist as provider of choice for the flu shot in P.E.I., which is just one of the new services pharmacists have been offering."

This is the second year pharmacists have participated in P.E.I.'s flu shot program, immunizing close to 25,000 Islanders, the association noted.

But more could be done to ensure people know pharmacists can also provide other immunizations as well as assess and prescribe for many common ailments such as hay fever, the survey revealed.

"Awareness about the services pharmacists can now provide could be improved in the region," said MacKenzie.

The survey showed across Canada, four in five respondents believe allowing pharmacists to do more would than they currently do would improve patient outcomes and reduce costs in the health care system.

The online survey on perceptions and attitudes about pharmacists was conducted with a sample of 3,824 Canadians aged 18 and older.

It was completed from February 19 to 25. It is considered accurate to within plus or minus 1.6 per cent.

The survey also suggests Atlantic Canadians trust their pharmacists more than in other parts of Canada to provide vaccinations, advise on medications, manage common ailments and help manage chronic health conditions.