Pilot project will allow N.B. pharmacists to treat some chronic conditions – New Brunswick | 24CA News
New Brunswick sufferers coping with sure continual sicknesses, like diabetes, bronchial asthma, continual obstructive pulmonary illness (COPD), and heart problems, will be capable to be assessed and handled at six pharmacies taking part in a pilot undertaking.
It’s a part of a year-long undertaking aiming to take stress off the first care system.
“It will create more space, more availability for those family doctors who are stressed and working very very hard in order to provide that primary care,” mentioned Health Minister Bruce Fitch at a press convention on Wednesday.
Pharmacies taking part in this system may even be capable to diagnose and deal with strep throat.
The program is much like one launched in 12 pharmacies in Nova Scotia in February.
That program was so profitable that Nova Scotia’s authorities expanded this system to 14 extra pharmacies in May.
“We have a very strong indication from our neighbours in Nova Scotia that this pilot should work very well here in New Brunswick,” mentioned Anne Marie Piconem, interim government director of the NB Pharmacists Association.
“We’re confident that this pilot will support the conclusion that more pharmacies should be offering these services,” she mentioned.
The New Brunswick Institute for Research, Data and Training will probably be finding out the outcomes of this system all through the pilot interval.
The first two pharmacies taking part in this system will begin on Aug. 1 in Riverview and Fredericton.
The remaining 4, situated in Fredericton, Paquetville, Moncton and Hampton, will begin on Sept. 18.
“My hope is that we’ll be able to roll out more sites in a short period of time,” Fitch mentioned.
Pharmacies must have a devoted house for affected person consultations to be able to provide this system.
Jeff Leger, president of Shoppers Drug Mart, mentioned it prices “a couple hundred thousand dollars” to renovate a pharmacy to incorporate that house.
He mentioned the corporate was all for renovating extra pharmacies in New Brunswick to have the ability to provide this system.
Fitch mentioned he was hopeful different pharmacies could be keen to renovate to supply this system.
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