The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable John Haggie, for the Minister of Health and Community Services:

Speaker, I wish to acknowledge March as Pharmacy Appreciation Month.

Pharmacy Appreciation Month is a time to highlight the importance of pharmacy professionals and to thank them for their extraordinary efforts.  Whether working as part of a clinical team, at one of our hospitals, or within a community pharmacy, they are an integral part in the delivery of care.

They ensure that patients get the most appropriate medication, manage drug interactions, assess and prescribe for many common conditions, provide knowledge of over-the-counter products, train patients on medical devices, and administer many vaccinations.

We continue to work with the Newfoundland and Labrador Pharmacists’ Association to create more efficient health care by increasing services available at community pharmacies, thereby reducing the number of people needing hospitalization and visiting emergency rooms.

Today, pharmacists have a greater scope of practice and more autonomy than ever before.

As we work to transform health care, we are tremendously grateful for pharmacy professionals and their dedication to the well-being of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.

Speaker, I ask all Honourable Members to join me in thanking pharmacy professionals for their unwavering dedication, care and compassion.