Apotex Salutes Canada's APOthecary Heroes

Sponsored content from Apotex As Canada’s largest pharmaceutical manufacturer, Apotex values our partners in patient care who share our commitment to improving access to medicines– one of them being pharmacy professionals, who play an instrumental role in supporting patients with their medication needs. Launched for the first time, the APOthecary Heroes Contest was developed to recognize the impact that pharmacy professionals contribute to quality patient care. It encourages Canadians to demonstrate their appreciation for these front-line healthcare professionals, and for us a company to also acknowledge their contribution. “We know that Canadians from coast-to-coast value the advice and support of their neighborhood pharmacy professional,” said Raymond Shelley, Senior Vice-President, Commercial Operations Canada & Caribbean. “We also know that pharmacy professionals have taken on an increasing volume of healthcare responsibilities over the past few years in particular, and this contest is one way to recognize their contribution,” he adds. As a Canadian-owned, Canadian-based company for close to 50 years, Apotex has supported pharmacy success through multiple initiatives, support, services, and resources. This unique contest is one more way to highlight our commitment to the profession and the value we place on our partnership. The contest allowed any Canadian – including consumers, patients, other pharmacy professionals, and healthcare professionals – to submit a nomination for their pharmacy professional of choice, or to self-nominate. Central to the submission was for nominators to highlight how the pharmacist, pharmacy technician or pharmacy assistant has gone above and beyond in their day-to-day role supporting patients and/or pharmacy practice. In judging the contest, we looked at the extent to which the nominee’s pharmacy involvement impacts patient health; activities undertaken to support pharmacy practice, community, and patient health; and outstanding effort for patients, their community and/or pharmacy practice. While this was a challenging task, we are pleased to name six deserving professionals as Canada’s APOthecary Heroes. The winning pharmacy professionals are each awarded a $2,500 CAD donation to their charity of choice that aligns with the Apotex Giving Philosophy of improving affordability, access to, and innovation in medicines for patients worldwide. As we officially come to the end of this contest, we are pleased to share the winners and honour them as Canada’s APOthecary Heroes of 2021. Nancy Waite – Ontario University of Waterloo - School of Pharmacy Waterloo, ON Nancy Waite is a pharmacist, educator, and researcher whose work significantly impacts patient health and pharmacy practice locally, provincially, and nationally. Pharmacy students, health professionals, pharmacist researchers, and, most importantly, patients benefit from her passion to enhance healthcare, deliver impactful healthcare projects, and optimize pharmacy practice. Eunice Oh – BC Oh Pharmacy Ltd. Coquitlam, BC Eunice’s work with New Vista Society, including providing partial funding for the Society’s new Care Home to include a floor geared towards the cultural sensitivities of Korea, has assured up to 40 seniors are receiving culturally sensitive care in their last days, including food, activities and staff that speak the Korean language. Michelle Stewart – Nova Scotia Pharmacy Walk-in Clinic by Lawtons Drugs New Glasgow, Nova Scotia Michelle pioneered Nova Scotia’s first ever Pharmacist Walk in Clinic. This has enabled accessible health care to Nova Scotians in her community during a time when many physicians were not seeing patients in their offices and for many Nova Scotians that do not have a family doctor. Darren Murphy - Manitoba Northway Pharmacy Broadway & Readymeds Winnipeg MB Darren designed pharmacies with unique spaces to include extra counseling rooms, multi-purpose classrooms and meeting rooms. A significant part of his efforts has been to educate patients on how pharmacists can have a positive impact on the health of patients and the community. Kalliopi Athanasoulias – Quebec Pharmacie Kalliopi Athanasoulias (Walmart) Kalliopi has faced numerous challenges, including beating breast cancer and lung cancer. Despite being unable to physically work at her pharmacy since COVID, she continues to serve patients via her staff who understand her mission: to provide the best, most memorable personal care to patients. Taria Gouw – Alberta Bow Island Apple Drugs Bow Island, Alberta Taria has a passion for mental health, diabetes, allergies, and asthma. She has been a health advocate for her community implementing care plan reviews (personalized medication reviews) for her patients and winning the local Chamber of Commerce’s 2015 Small Business of the Year award for “excellent, comprehensive service to the community.” Canada’s pharmacy professionals are critical to patient care. Through this contest, we hope to strengthen awareness of the impact of pharmacy professionals on our communities and Canada’s healthcare system. We encourage you to watch for our next APOthecary Heroes contest as we continue to recognize our partners for their agility, hard work and shared commitment of putting patients first.

Apotex Salutes Canada's APOthecary Heroes

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