Canadian Pharmacists Journal/Revue des Pharmaciens du Canada

Includes bibliographical references.

Are pharmacists really “well placed”? -- Congratulations: To our 2022 CPhA Award Winners -- Addressing systemic racism and discrimination in pharmacy -- Increasing proactive co-dispensing of take-home naloxone with prescription opioids at Ontario community pharmacies -- The Ontario Pharmacy Evidence Network Atlas of Smoking Cessation Services -- Development of a national web-based antibiogram tool/ -- Barriers to adult vaccination in Canada: A qualitative systematic review -- Concerns, beliefs and attitudes of pharmacists and pharmacy students on cannabis use in Canada.

[Article Title: Are pharmacists really “well placed”?/ Ross T. Tsuyuki and Yazid N. Al Hamarneh, p. 185-186]

https://doi.org/10.1177/17151635221103457

[Article Title: Increasing proactive co-dispensing of take-home naloxone with prescription opioids at Ontario community pharmacies/ Autumn Qiu Hua Chen, p. 192–193]

Abstract: Pharmacists have an obligation to educate patients and their caregivers on the effectiveness and safety of medication therapy. By not offering THN with opioid prescriptions, we may be jeopardizing patient safety, as opioids are associated with several adverse events, including significant sedation, respiratory depression and death. Consequently, adequate dispensing and counselling on naloxone are needed for any individual using an opioid. With a proactive pharmacist-led approach and structured implementation process, increasing rates of THN co-dispensed with prescription opioids are highly achievable.

https://doi.org/10.1177/17151635221102415

[Article Title: The Ontario Pharmacy Evidence Network Atlas of Smoking Cessation Services/ Anna M. Rzepka, Lindsay Wong, Maha Chaudhry, Beth A. Sproule and Suzanne M. Cadarette, p. 194–199]

https://doi.org/10.1177/17151635221101366

[Article Title: Development of a national web-based antibiogram tool/ Teagan Zeggil, Dylan Dobbyn, Brendan Kudrowich and Nathan P. Beahm, p. 200–205]

https://doi.org/10.1177/17151635221101343

[Article Title: Barriers to adult vaccination in Canada: A qualitative systematic review/ Doris Stratoberdha, Barbara Gobis, Adrian Ziemczonek, Jamie Yuen, Annita Giang and Peter J. Zed, p. 206–218]

Abstract:

Background:
In recent years, Canadian health care professionals have observed an increase in vaccine refusal. The objective of this study is to review published literature and identify the main themes related to vaccine hesitancy and barriers to vaccination in Canadian adults and recent immigrants.

Methods:
A qualitative systematic review was performed. A comprehensive search of MEDLINE (1946 to January 2021) and EMBASE (1974 to January 2021) was conducted to identify existing literature that addressed the primary research question. Studies were eligible for inclusion if the study population involved 1) the general population, 2) Indigenous populations, 3) recent immigrants to Canada or 4) Canadian health care professionals.

Results:
Thirty-four studies were included with a focus on the general population (n = 22), health care professionals (n = 10) and recent immigrant populations (n = 2). The most frequently reported barriers were lack of vaccine information (41%), lack of access to vaccination (38%), fear of adverse reactions (38%), financial reasons (29%), lack of awareness of vaccine existence (29%), antivaccine sentiments (24%), notion that older adults do not need vaccination (18%), misconceptions on vaccine effectiveness (12%), potential sexual health promotion stigma (6%) and fear of needles (3%).

Interpretation:
Barriers to vaccination among Canadians and recent immigrants continue to be a challenge in the health care system.
Conclusions:
The greatest yield in improving vaccination rates is likely to come from supporting vaccine-hesitant individuals in shifting their thinking to greater vaccine acceptance. Pharmacists are well positioned to address vaccine hesitancy and involvement through education, facilitation and administration of vaccines. Can Pharm J (Ott) 2022;155:xx-xx.

https://doi.org/10.1177/17151635221090212

[Article Title: Concerns, beliefs and attitudes of pharmacists and pharmacy students on cannabis use in Canada/ Régis Vaillancourt, Rahim Dhalla, Piotr Merks, Taylor Lougheed, Gary Goldfield, Holly Mansell and Jameason Cameron, p. 219–229]

Abstract:

Background:
Since cannabis has been legalized in Canada for medical and recreational use, there has been an increased demand on pharmacists for cannabis counselling. The objective of this study was to determine the concerns, beliefs and attitudes of Canadian pharmacists and pharmacy students towards using cannabis.

Methods:
An online survey was synthesized under 3 broad themes: concerns, beliefs and attitudes about cannabis, consisting of 27 questions capturing demographics and Likert scale responding to survey questions. We examined whether there were differences in responses by geographic location (i.e., Ontario, Quebec, Canada), sex or practice setting (i.e., community, hospital).

Results:
Across Canada, there were 654 survey respondents, with 399 in Ontario and 95 in Quebec. Approximately 24% indicated they had used cannabis since legalization, 69% indicated they believed cannabis should be available for medical and recreational use and 34% indicated their perceptions towards cannabis had become more positive since legalization. Relative to Quebec or the rest of Canada, respondents from Ontario were significantly more likely to be comfortable providing counselling to and answering questions of patients on the safety and efficacy of medical cannabis use. Examining sex differences across Canada, male respondents were more comfortable than female counselling patients on the safety and efficacy of medical cannabis.

Conclusion:
The current results reinforce the perceived need by pharmacists and pharmacy students for targeted education, and future research in cannabis education should consider potential gender differences in attitudes and beliefs surrounding cannabis therapy.

https://doi.org/10.1177/17151635221102143