Pharmacist-Led Health Clinic to Open in Lethbridge, Alberta

Alberta’s first pharmacist-led primary healthcare clinic will open its doors to new patients in Lethbridge. Located inside the Lethbridge Real Canadian Superstore at 3515 Mayor Magrath Dr S, the Pharmacist Walk-in Clinic will offer a range of healthcare services to patients, including assessment and treatment of common ailments and injuries.

Access to primary healthcare services has been an ongoing issue across the country for some time and was most recently exacerbated by Covid-19. The expanded scope of practice for pharmacists in Alberta, however, is making it easier for patients to get access to the services they need.

Pharmacists in the province have the ability to assess patients and prescribe medications for minor illnesses and injuries, administer vaccines and other medications by injection, support chronic disease management and order and receive lab results. Making these services available in a pharmacist clinic setting will mean a reduction in urgent care and emergency room visits and ultimately can lead to better health outcomes for patients.

“Pharmacists in Alberta are uniquely positioned to relieve some of the burden on the province’s healthcare system and this innovative clinic will make access to care easier for residents in Lethbridge,” said Jeff Leger, head of pharmacy at Loblaw Companies Limited, and President, Shoppers Drug Mart. “We applaud the Government of Alberta for their support of pharmacy and for the work they continue to do, making healthcare more accessible to Albertans through pharmacy.”

The opening of the Pharmacist Walk-in Clinic is another way Loblaw is living up to its purpose to help Canadians live life well. The clinic adds to the company’s network of healthcare professionals and its national infrastructure that supports a variety of healthcare services through which Loblaw delivers care and wellness services to millions of Canadians weekly – both in-store and virtually, making healthcare more accessible, and convenient and seamless.

To support research and teaching at the clinic, Loblaw has provided a $500,000 grant to the University of Alberta. The grant will enable research and evaluation of innovative models of care implemented at the Pharmacist Walk-in Clinic and provide training opportunities for pharmacy students to complete clinical placements in a unique, community-based clinic environment. There will also be opportunities for collaborative care with other healthcare providers to foster a complete approach to patient care.

“This endeavour by Loblaw and the University of Alberta’s Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences is an exciting one for our students, faculty and the Lethbridge community,” said Interim Dean, Christine Hughes. “The Pharmacist Walk-in Clinic will provide our students with fantastic opportunities for experiential learning and collaboration as well as serve as a key primary care location making healthcare more accessible to the people of Lethbridge.”