There has never been a greater need for people to access high-quality expertise about the effectiveness, safety and use of medications. While drugs improve health and save lives, they are not without risk. The collective influence of current health care trends and policies compels the profession of pharmacy to make fundamental changes in how it carries out its professional role to effectively and safely meet society’s health care needs.

OPEN Scientists, Lisa Dolovich, Zubin Austin, Nancy Waite, Feng Chang, Barbara Farrell, Kelly Grindrod, Sherilyn Houle, Lisa McCarthy, Lori MacCallum, Beth Sproule, have published a paper entitled  “Pharmacy in the 21st century: Enhancing the impact of the profession of pharmacy on people’s lives in the context of health care trends, evidence and policies”. The paper can be found at https://doi.org/10.1177/1715163518815717

The paper draws from a White Paper the group developed at the request of the Ontario College of Pharmacists (OCP).  Particular attention was given to opportunities that use the full scope of pharmacy practice over the next 5-10 years to make a difference in people’s lives.