Pharmacy Leaders Pinpoint Key Hurdles to Integrating Pharmacists into Primary Care
Event summary
- Global pharmacy leaders identified workforce readiness, sustainable funding, regulatory frameworks, and interprofessional collaboration as critical for integrating pharmacists into primary care.
- The International Forum on Primary Health Care was co-hosted by CPhA and APhA, with participation from regulators, academia, and health systems.
- A joint CPhA–APhA report will be produced to support policy development and health-system implementation in Canada, the U.S., and internationally.
- The forum took place ahead of the 84th FIP World Congress of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences in Montréal.
The big picture
Health systems globally are under pressure to improve access to primary care, and pharmacists are increasingly seen as key players in this effort. The forum highlighted significant differences in how pharmacists are integrated into health systems, emphasizing the need for coordinated policy, workforce development, and funding structures. The joint report from CPhA and APhA will be crucial in shaping future integration strategies.
What we're watching
- Policy Alignment
- How national and international policies will adapt to support pharmacist integration into primary care.
- Funding Sustainability
- Whether sustainable funding models can be established to support pharmacist-led care.
- Workforce Readiness
- The pace at which pharmacists can be trained and supported to practice effectively within primary care settings.