Advocacy in pharmacy: Changing "what is" into "what should be".

Abstract

Pharmacists are moving from traditional and technical dispensing roles to professional and clinical patient-centred services. They have shown that these new professional services have an essential and positive effect on patient outcomes. However, we must advocate for and promote these new services to 4 key groups—pharmacists, other health care professionals, patients and the community—or what is the point? This advocacy must begin at the grassroots, with the individual pharmacist, rather than relying solely on our professional organizations. It begins with the pharmacist eliminating the mystery of “behind the counter.” Both verbal patient interaction tips and nonverbal strategic communication tools can be developed and used to aid in this venture. We invite all pharmacists across Canada to take ownership of their evolving profession and to share ideas and collaborate with their colleagues. ■