Includes bibliographical references.

A brief overview of biosimilars and factors limiting their uptake -- Pharmacist-led geriatric clinic: A unique service for complex elderly patients -- A brief history of pharmacy admissions in North America -- An evaluation of Alberta pharmacists' practices, views and confidence regarding prescription drug abuse and addiction within their practice setting -- Pharmacists as immunizers: boosting opportunities for patient care -- How pharmacists are improving immunization in Canada -- Vaccine hesitancy: Moving practice beyond binary vaccination outcomes in community pharmacy -- Time for harmonization: Pharmacists as immunizers across canadian jurisdictions -- opportunities for pharmacists to recommend and administer routine vaccines -- The role of pharmacists in providing recommended vaccines -- Travel vaccines: update for canadian pharmacists -- Opportunities for pharmacists in vaccinating higher-risk populations -- Pharmacists and vaccination in pregnancy -- Making it happen: Strategies to incorporate vaccinations into community pharmacy practice.

[Article Title: The impact of CPJ on practice: An update / Janice Y. Kung, Jessica Lipowski and Ross T. Tsuyuki, p. 357-360]

Abstract: Over the past few years, we have been discussing the impact of CPJ on pharmacy practice. To recap, we view impact as how the material published in the journal affects practice (i.e., the patient care you deliver). Traditional measures of impact focus on citations (the number of times articles are cited by other authors)—we don’t think this is as relevant as changing your practice, which won’t be reflected by citations. As such, I am pleased to introduce Janice Kung, a health sciences librarian and new member of CPJ’s Editorial Board, and Jessica Lipowski, our publishing editor at SAGE Publications, who will be regularly reporting on the real impact of the journal.

https://doi.org/10.1177/1715163519878659

[Article Title: Pharmacists’ profession-hood / Lawrence D. Jackson, and Princess Debbie Chua, p. 362-363]

Abstract: Gregory and Austin1 found evidence of incomplete professional identity formation in their study of 17 Ontario community pharmacists, aged 35 years and older, which contrasts with published reports of physicians, whose professional identity is internalized at a more integrated, existential level. This finding is based on pharmacists’ reluctance to use their knowledge and training to advocate for themselves when dealing with a personal health care crisis or acting on behalf of a loved one with a health issue.

https://doi.org/10.1177/1715163519877825

[Article Title: A brief overview of biosimilars and factors limiting their uptake / Nicholas Sosulski, p. 364-366]

Abstract: Over the last few decades, an innovative class of medications known as biologics has made its way onto the Canadian market and revolutionized the treatment of many diseases, including inflammatory conditions and certain types of cancer. Unlike small-molecule medications that are chemically synthesized compounds, biologics are large, complex proteins that are grown from cells and living organisms. While effective, biologic medications are significantly more expensive than their small-molecule counterparts. As a result, Canadian government spending on biologics has steadily increased from 14.8% of total drug spending in 2011 to 22.1% in 2016, despite relatively low use in the population.

https://doi.org/10.1177/1715163519879411

[Article Title: Pharmacist-led geriatric clinic: A unique service for complex elderly patients / Felix Wei, Greg Egan, and Karen Dahri, p. 367-369]

Abstract: An aging population is a major challenge facing Canadian health care. Elderly patients often have multiple comorbidities and take multiple medications. It takes more time and expertise to review and manage medications for these complex patients to minimize the risk of adverse drug events. Pharmacists, with their expanding scope of practice and expertise in pharmacotherapy, are able to work with this complexity to minimize the risks. Many studies have demonstrated that pharmacist-led clinical services in a multidisciplinary setting significantly reduce inappropriate drug therapies and achieve better patient outcomes. However, there are few reports of pharmacists as independent providers working in collaboration with prescribers or with delegated authority from prescribers.

https://doi.org/10.1177/1715163519864386

[Article Title: A brief history of pharmacy admissions in North America / Erin Davis, Richard Braha, Shannon McAlorum, and Debbie Kelly, p. 370-375]

Abstract: The move from a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy to a Doctor of Pharmacy degree, both in the United States and in Canada, has been accompanied by a general move towards increased prepharmacy admission requirements and longer pharmacy programs. Historically, the most thoroughly researched pharmacy admissions variables include grade point average (GPA), Pharmacy College Admissions Test (PCAT), interviews and critical thinking tests. Most programs now require a combination of academic (GPA ± PCAT) and nonacademic characteristics (e.g., interviews, volunteering, critical thinking tests, essays). This review focuses on GPA and the PCAT as academic admissions measures and the interview (both traditional and the multiple mini-interview) and critical thinking tests as nonacademic measures.

https://doi.org/10.1177/1715163519865571

[Article Title: An evaluation of Alberta pharmacists’ practices, views and confidence regarding prescription drug abuse and addiction within their practice setting / Candace Necyk, Ken Cor, Arianna Mazzuca, and Lauren Meleshko, p. 376-387]

Abstract: Pharmacists play an important role in managing patients with prescription drug abuse and addiction (PDAA). The objective of this study was to explore Alberta pharmacists’ practices, views and confidence in the management of patients at risk of or living with PDAA in their practice setting.

https://doi.org/10.1177/1715163519865914

[Article Title: Pharmacists as immunizers: Boosting opportunities for patient care / Sherilyn K. D. Houle and Nancy M. Waite, p. 388-389]

Abstract: What a difference a decade can make! In 2007, the Canadian Pharmacists Journal published a supplement on Practical Management of Vaccines and not a single province at that time permitted pharmacists to vaccinate. Fast forward to 2019 and pharmacists can administer (at least some) vaccines in 9 Canadian provinces (with Quebec’s regulatory change in the works) and all 50 US states. As well, patients can document their own vaccinations through apps like CANImmunize (although we still don’t have a pan-Canadian online vaccine tracking system), and new vaccines such as herpes zoster have been introduced. But the news isn’t all good. This year, vaccine hesitancy has been identified by the World Health Organization as one of the top 10 threats to global health, and measles cases are surging across North America and Europe, largely among the unimmunized.

https://doi.org/10.1177/1715163519878138

[Article Title: How pharmacists are improving immunization in Canada/ I. M. Gemmill, p. 390]

Abstract: Sixty years ago, immunization was a simpler process. There were fewer vaccines, and the process of immunizing was straightforward. Children had their well-child exams but were immunized almost as an afterthought as they left the office. Today, each Canadian child receives more than 20 doses of vaccine before adulthood. Sixty years ago, the infections that immunization prevents either were still very much present or fresh in people’s memories, so parents were eager to have their children immunized. Today, people have many questions about vaccines, their safety and effectiveness.

https://doi.org/10.1177/1715163519878404

[Article Title: Vaccine hesitancy: Moving practice beyond binary vaccination outcomes in community pharmacy / Richard Violette, p. 391-394]

Abstract: Unequivocally, vaccinations can be considered one of the greatest global achievements for public health. Since the introduction of the first vaccines, vaccination programs have contributed to a substantial decline in both mortality and morbidity of many previously lethal infectious diseases around the globe. However, high and sustained vaccine uptake is necessary for these efforts to remain successful. Beyond the direct protection provided for vaccinated individuals, high vaccine coverage also induces indirect protection against vaccine-preventable diseases (VPD) at a population level through herd immunity. Yet despite consensus on the public health benefits of vaccination, recent reports of clustered outbreaks and the resurgence of VPDs in under- or nonimmunized groups highlight the ongoing challenges.

https://doi.org/10.1177/1715163519878745

[Article Title: Opportunities for pharmacists to recommend and administer routine vaccines / Jennifer E. Isenor and Susan K. Bowles, p. 401-405]

Abstract: The Canadian National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) makes recommendations for the use of vaccines. Individual provinces and territories determine which vaccines will be funded and the schedules that are appropriate, based on their resources (e.g., funds, immunization providers, etc.). Routine vaccinations recommended for previously vaccinated adults and those who are unimmunized or underimmunized are found in Table 1. This article will focus on influenza, tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis (Tdap) and tetanus and diphtheria (Td) vaccines for routine vaccination, as well as measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), meningococcal and polio vaccines for adults requiring catch-up, with emphasis on pharmacy-based vaccination. Other articles in this special section on pharmacists as immunizers give information on pneumococcal, human papillomavirus (HPV), varicella and zoster vaccines.

https://doi.org/10.1177/1715163519878473

[Article Title: The role of pharmacists in providing recommended vaccines / Carlene Oleksyn, p. 406-410]

Abstract: In Canada, the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) makes recommendations for vaccination. However, vaccines that are publicly funded vary by province and territory, largely based on cost effectiveness and budget capacity, rather than clinical indication and vaccine effectiveness. Using their full scope of practice, pharmacists have a unique opportunity to offer recommended protection against vaccine-preventable diseases to patients.

https://doi.org/10.1177/1715163519877897

[Article Title: Travel vaccines: Update for Canadian pharmacists / Christina Bascom, p. 411-417]

Abstract: Pretravel health assessments extend beyond vaccines, yet these play an integral role. Canadians made 31.3 million overnight departures abroad in 2016, and with recent expansion of pharmacists’ authorization to administer vaccines across Canada, pharmacists with advanced training in travel medicine are well suited to fill a gap in providing guidance on safe and healthy travel practices, including administration of vaccines and personal protective measures (including personal safety, food and water precautions and bite avoidance).1-4 Community pharmacists without specialized training can proactively inquire with patients about upcoming travel and offer to review and administer commonly recommended travel vaccines (or complete a vaccine series). They should, however, refer travellers with more complex itineraries (i.e., nonresort travel) to a specialized travel clinic. By being proactive, pharmacists can ensure adequate dosing prior to departure and/or be able to seek alternate options in the event of vaccine unavailability.

https://doi.org/10.1177/1715163519877899

[Article Title: Opportunities for pharmacists in vaccinating higher-risk populations / Carolyn Whiskin and Nora Cutcliffe, p. 418-423]

Abstract: Individuals in each of these populations have greater vulnerability to infection than individuals in the general “healthy” population, due to decline or aberrations in immune system function. While the need for vaccination in higher-risk populations is well acknowledged and recommended by the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI), vaccination of these groups—particularly for immunocompromised patients—continues to be an area of uncertainty for many primary care clinicians.

https://doi.org/10.1177/1715163519877898

[Article Title: Pharmacists and vaccination in pregnancy / Christine Hughes, p. 424-426]

Abstract: Across Canada, pharmacists are increasingly involved in providing vaccinations. The accessibility of pharmacists provides opportunity to improve adult vaccination rates for influenza and other routinely recommended vaccines. Since pregnant women are an important segment of the population that may require vaccines, pharmacists should be aware of vaccine recommendations as well as contraindications in pregnancy. Physiologic changes that occur during pregnancy, such as alterations in the balance of type 1 and 2 T-helper cells, increase the susceptibility of pregnant women to illness.

https://doi.org/10.1177/1715163519877896

[Article Title: Making it happen: Strategies to incorporate vaccinations into community pharmacy practice / Sherilyn K. D. Houle, p. 427-429]

Abstract: Community pharmacists face a number of competing priorities each day. Nonprescription drug consultations, prescription dispensing and counselling (especially given the increasing complexity of third-party billing and recent drug shortages!), collaboration with other health professionals, medication reviews . . . each of these add up to a heavy workload and understandable challenges with adding vaccination services into the mix. Indeed, inadequate time and staffing to provide these services have been frequently cited as key barriers encountered by pharmacists worldwide when considering the implementation or expansion of vaccination services they offer.

https://doi.org/10.1177/1715163519877906