An expanded role for pharmacists in health care, an approach pioneered by Alberta, has now been adopted by Quebec, to the applause of a think tank who also advocated for its adoption.Quebec’s Bill 67, introduced Tuesday by Quebec Treasury Board president Sonia LeBel, will help improve access to health care in the province, says Montreal Economic Institute researcher Emmanuelle B. Faubert.“This bill is great news for the over 600,000 Quebecers who are actively waiting to be connected with a family doctor,” explains MEI economist Faubert. “By allowing pharmacists to play a larger role in our health care system, Quebec will help more patients get access to the treatment they need.”If adopted, the bill will allow pharmacists to prescribe a larger variety of medication, take more samples themselves and renew more prescriptions without a medical consultation.The researcher points to the success of pharmacist-led clinics in Alberta in helping improve access to health care.The first such clinic opened its doors in Alberta in 2022. It is estimated the province will count as many as 103 by the end of the year.A 2019 peer-reviewed study found that pharmacists could handle 35% of avoidable emergency room visits in Canada.Faubert also points out that prescription-related issues account for more than 10% of emergency room visits, which puts more unnecessary pressure on hospitals.“Just imagine how much faster things could be if pharmacists could take care of 35% of the unnecessary load placed on emergency rooms,” said Faubert. “With today’s announcement, the Legault government is taking a significant step toward making timely access to health care a reality again.”Last year, the median time spent by patients visiting Quebec emergency rooms was 5 hours and 13 minutes.The MEI is an independent public policy think tank with offices in Montreal and Calgary. Through its publications, media appearances, and advisory services to policy-makers, the MEI stimulates public policy debate and reforms based on sound economics and entrepreneurship..This is what the Western Standard is up againstThe Trudeau government is funding lies and propaganda by directly subsidizing the mainstream media. They do this to entrench the powerful Eastern, woke and corrupt interests that dominate the political, social and economic institutions in Canada. Federal authorities are constantly trying to censor us and stop us from publishing the stories that they don’t want you to read. Ottawa may weaponize our taxes and police against us, but we’ve got a powerful ally on our side.You. Free men, and free women. We need you to stand with us and become a member of the Western Standard. Here’s what you will get for your membership:Unlimited access to all articles from the Western Standard, Alberta Report, West Coast Standard, and Saskatchewan Standard, with no paywall. Our daily newsletter delivered to your inbox. .Access to exclusive Member-only WS events.Keep the West’s leading independent media voice strong and free.If you can, please support us with a monthly or annual membership. It takes just a moment to set up, and you will be making a big impact on keeping one the last independent media outlets in Canada free from Ottawa’s corrupting influence.
An expanded role for pharmacists in health care, an approach pioneered by Alberta, has now been adopted by Quebec, to the applause of a think tank who also advocated for its adoption.Quebec’s Bill 67, introduced Tuesday by Quebec Treasury Board president Sonia LeBel, will help improve access to health care in the province, says Montreal Economic Institute researcher Emmanuelle B. Faubert.“This bill is great news for the over 600,000 Quebecers who are actively waiting to be connected with a family doctor,” explains MEI economist Faubert. “By allowing pharmacists to play a larger role in our health care system, Quebec will help more patients get access to the treatment they need.”If adopted, the bill will allow pharmacists to prescribe a larger variety of medication, take more samples themselves and renew more prescriptions without a medical consultation.The researcher points to the success of pharmacist-led clinics in Alberta in helping improve access to health care.The first such clinic opened its doors in Alberta in 2022. It is estimated the province will count as many as 103 by the end of the year.A 2019 peer-reviewed study found that pharmacists could handle 35% of avoidable emergency room visits in Canada.Faubert also points out that prescription-related issues account for more than 10% of emergency room visits, which puts more unnecessary pressure on hospitals.“Just imagine how much faster things could be if pharmacists could take care of 35% of the unnecessary load placed on emergency rooms,” said Faubert. “With today’s announcement, the Legault government is taking a significant step toward making timely access to health care a reality again.”Last year, the median time spent by patients visiting Quebec emergency rooms was 5 hours and 13 minutes.The MEI is an independent public policy think tank with offices in Montreal and Calgary. Through its publications, media appearances, and advisory services to policy-makers, the MEI stimulates public policy debate and reforms based on sound economics and entrepreneurship..This is what the Western Standard is up againstThe Trudeau government is funding lies and propaganda by directly subsidizing the mainstream media. They do this to entrench the powerful Eastern, woke and corrupt interests that dominate the political, social and economic institutions in Canada. Federal authorities are constantly trying to censor us and stop us from publishing the stories that they don’t want you to read. Ottawa may weaponize our taxes and police against us, but we’ve got a powerful ally on our side.You. Free men, and free women. We need you to stand with us and become a member of the Western Standard. Here’s what you will get for your membership:Unlimited access to all articles from the Western Standard, Alberta Report, West Coast Standard, and Saskatchewan Standard, with no paywall. Our daily newsletter delivered to your inbox. .Access to exclusive Member-only WS events.Keep the West’s leading independent media voice strong and free.If you can, please support us with a monthly or annual membership. It takes just a moment to set up, and you will be making a big impact on keeping one the last independent media outlets in Canada free from Ottawa’s corrupting influence.