Pharmacist Tony Boghossian talks to one of his clients at Bell Pharmacy. Boghossian is funding a pharmacist pilot project at the Somerset West Community Health Centre.
Somerset West Community Health Centre now has a pharmacist’s expertise on its primary care team, thanks to a new project made possible by a local businessman’s generosity.
Bell Pharmacy partnered with the Eccles Street health centre in September to create the new position.
Antranik (Tony) Boghossian, a former board member of the organization, is a pharmacist who also owns the Gladstone Avenue drug store. He provided the centre with enough funding for a pilot project that allows a pharmacist to collaborate with an on-site health care team once a week.
Bell Pharmacy’s Kassem Osman has been part of the six-month project since the beginning. He works with a team of doctors, nurses and a physician assistant to contribute his pharmaceutical knowledge to the care of local patients.
Jack McCarthy, executive director of Somerset West Community Health Centre, says that the pharmacist trains clinicians on how to best use different medications.
The presence of pharmacists helps to maintain a comprehensive care regimen for the patient and prevent any hold up for medications. If an issue arises with a patient’s prescription, the pharmacist can provide additional assistance, says Osman.
“They can have (advice) on the spot, as opposed to trying to get a hold of a doctor a few days later,” he says.
McCarthy adds that the project lets the pharmacist offer input during patients’ initial discussions with the doctors. “There’s room for a pharmacist’s opinion,” he says.
Osman says the doctors have all been open-minded and welcoming. “It takes time to get the whole process of how a pharmacist’s role is integrated into the actual clinic,” Osman adds. “It’s been a challenge, but so far, so good.”
Boghossian stresses the need to link pharmacies and the primary health care team. “We are part of the primary care and we should be included,” he says. “We are experts in medications.”
Other communities have tried expanding the role of pharmacists, but the Somerset West centre is the first in Ottawa to host this type of project.
“We always feel that we have to give to the community, and I’ve always wanted to do things together with the group, with the medical team at (Somerset West),” he says.
McCarthy says that it’s a pleasure working with Boghossian and Bell Pharmacy.
“Here’s somebody who gives back to his community,” he says. “Here’s a man who’s putting his money where his mouth is.”
The health centre will evaluate the project at the end of the six months to see if there’s a possibility of extending the arrangement. At this point in time, the organization sees great value in having a permanent pharmacist on staff, who can help guide clinicians.
“I’ve been keen to do this for many years,” says McCarthy. “It’s another step towards high-quality care.”