Pharmacists can help bridge the gap in health care management. FILE PHOTOArticle contentIn communities across Newfoundland and Labrador, accessing timely, coordinated health care is often challenging. Many residents experience gaps in support when it comes to managing their overall health and well-being.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentIn particular, getting access to primary care can be a struggle. In fact, data from the Angus Reid Institute shows that in 2025, 21 per cent of Atlantic Canada residents did not have a family doctor (up from 11 per cent in 2015). There is a growing need for creative solutions to fill the gap.Article contentArticle contentArticle contentMore and more, integrated models that bring together different health-care professionals, including pharmacists like me, are providing ways to make health care more readily available, whether patients need support for navigating day-to-day wellness or if they have more complex health needs. With pharmacies located in communities throughout Newfoundland, pharmacists are often among the most accessible health-care professionals within our provincial system, and we pride ourselves on being easy to talk to!Article contentOVERALL WELLNESSArticle contentEvery day I have conversations with patients, not only about prescriptions, but also broader health concerns and overall wellness. Increasingly, these conversations are becoming a starting point for coordinated support that can also include other health-care professionals.Article contentWeight management is a good example. Patients at my pharmacy often ask about what options are available to support them on their weight management journey, whether their goal is weight loss on its own or to help manage a chronic disease.Article contentArticle contentObesity itself is a chronic disease and a key driver of other health conditions – and unfortunately, Newfoundland and Labrador has one of the highest incidences of obesity in Canada (StatsCan, 2024). One new option for weight management, which brings together different health-care professionals to provide more integrated care for patients, is a new virtual program available here in NL through Shoppers Drug Mart.Article contentShoppers Drug Mart has collaborated with Obesity Canada to help raise awareness of the tools and resources that are available for those looking to manage their weight.Article contentThe program aims to improve access to both treatment and support, with nurse practitioners available to prescribe treatment when needed, as well as registered dietitians for consultation on food choices, all through a virtual platform that lives on the Shoppers Drug Mart website.Article contentMeanwhile, the in-person role of local pharmacists ensures ongoing support for patients, such as answering medication-related question, and reinforcing a patient’s overall care plan throughout their treatment journey, during visits at their preferred pharmacy.
OP-ED: Pharmacists and the shift toward team-based weight management support
