Pharmacy research at UW, McMaster gets $5.7M boost

Pharmacy researchers from the University of Waterloo and McMaster University will be receiving $5.7 million in funding from the provincial governmentin an effort tooptimize theexpanding healthcare servicesprovided by pharmacists.

The money will go towards the Ontario Pharmacy Research Collaboration, a joint project between UWs School of Pharmacy and McMasters Department of Family Medicine.

Researchers will take a closer look at the provinces pharmacist-led medication programs. In the last two years, the province has been expanding the role of pharmacists when it comes toproviding frontline healthcare services, like prescribing some drugs, renewing prescriptions and theadministration of flu shots.

Professor Nancy Waite from UWs School of Pharmacy says examination of some of the services offered by these programs is important, as they have only been in place for a relatively short time.

"Weve spent a lot of money, about $120 million, on providing those pharmacist services," said Waite. "So I think it's important to ask if it's working and how we can improve it."

The research fundingwill come fromthe Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care through the Health System Research Fund program.

"Weve already given pharmacists a great deal of responsibility in terms of helping patients manage their medication," said Kitchener Centre MPP John Milloy, who announced the funding at the UW School of Pharmacy on Victoria Street in Kitchener.

"Theyre going to be evaluating how we can expand the role so that pharmacists and physicians are able to work hand in hand for the betterment of all patients, particularly seniors."