Working Together to Strengthen Pharmaceutical Care in Remote First Nations

Providing pharmaceutical care for Indigenous Peoples living in remote regions comes with a complex mix of challenges. Supply disruptions, transportation challenges and the ongoing impacts of colonization all affect daily pharmacy operations and patient care.

To help strengthen medication-use practices in these communities, Mohawk Medbuy (MMC), Canadian pharmaceutical manufacturer Pharmascience and telepharmacy provider North West Telepharmacy Solutions (NTS) have recently launched our Pharmacy Preceptorship Program – a complimentary, onsite review and consultation for hospital pharmacies that serve remote Indigenous communities. Grounded in our shared commitment to Reconciliation, the initiative aims to uncover insights that can help support culturally safer, more effective pharmaceutical care for these patient populations.

The first Pharmacy Preceptorship took place at MMC Member the Weeneebayko Area Health Authority (WAHA). WAHA provides health care services to people living along the western James Bay and Hudson Bay coasts in Northern Ontario. The region is home to many Mushkegowuk Cree Nations, including Attawapiskat First Nation, Fort Albany First Nation, Kashechewan First Nation and Moose Cree First Nation. WAHA also serves Weenusk First Nation (Peawanuck) and MoCreebec (Moosonee), a recognized Cree community.

Grounded in Education

Along with building bridges among our organizations, MMC provided tailored, comprehensive Reconciliation education ahead of the Preceptorship. Focused on cultural safety awareness and health care realities experienced by WAHA-area First Nations, the training explored health disparity gaps in the region and the role pharmaceutical care plays in shaping these historic and current contexts.

“Education is an important foundation,” said Veronica Guido, MMC’s Director, Indigenous Partnerships and Strategies. “Before our organizations can work alongside Indigenous communities, we must understand the history and lived experiences of Indigenous Peoples – ensuring the initiative is rooted in respect and humility.”

Exploring factors influencing pharmacy care at WAHA was part of the tailored, comprehensive Reconciliation training MMC provided for Pharmacy Preceptorship participants.

Following training and guidance from MMC, a multidisciplinary team from Pharmascience and NTS visited WAHA to conduct an in-depth, structured, onsite walkthrough of the full medication journey, from pharmacy to point of administration.

The Preceptorship Program allows Pharmascience a unique opportunity to directly observe medication use in resource-constrained contexts – generating practical insights that can help inform packaging, format and other manufacturing decisions.

“Meaningful engagement starts with listening to and learning from those delivering and receiving care,” said Richard Williams, National Commercial Director- Hospital Division, Pharmascience. "When we have a deeper understanding of their specific challenges, we learn how we can shape our product offerings to support safer, more effective care.”

Learning Through Partnership

Due to the WAHA’s remoteness and ongoing staffing constraints, pharmaceutical care is often provided by offsite pharmacy professionals, including those at NTS.

Mohawk Medbuy (MMC), Pharmascience and NTS collaborate on our pilot Pharmacy Preceptorship program, which supports culturally safer, more effective pharmaceutical care for Indigenous Peoples living in remote regions.

“As part of our Reconciliation Journey, the North West Company is committed to building more collaborative relationships that enhance the inclusion and social well-being of Indigenous Peoples,” said Kevin McDonald, Director, North West Telepharmacy Solutions. “This program allows us to contribute our expertise in telepharmacy, as well as glean insight into how our services can continue to evolve to better support Indigenous patients and care providers in remote settings.”

“Partnerships such as this preceptorship provide a unique opportunity to share knowledge, build capacity and strengthen relationships across the health care system,” said Sonya Kelso, Director of Laboratory, Pharmacy, IPAC and MDRD, WAHA. “It was rewarding to host participants in Moose Factory and highlight the innovation, resilience and dedication required to deliver health care in remote and Northern communities. We appreciate the commitment to learning and collaboration demonstrated by all involved.”

At the end of the Preceptorship, the team shared a detailed report with WAHA outlining observations and insights the hospital can potentially use in future pharmacy planning – focusing on practical next steps that can enhance Indigenous patient care and support safe medication use.

Following the pilot with WAHA, the Pharmacy Preceptorship Program will continue to grow – with more MMC Members that serve remote Indigenous populations slated to take part soon.

“This initiative represents a new model for collaboration in pharmacy practice,” said Ally Dhalla, Senior Vice President, Pharmacy, Government and Clinical Services. “By bringing together health care providers, industry partners and Indigenous communities, we can better understand local challenges, identify practical solutions and help advance equitable access to safe, high-quality pharmaceutical care in remote First Nations communities.”

About the Organizations

Weeneebayko Area Health Authority (WAHA)

The Weeneebayko Area Health Authority is a regional, community-focused organization committed to providing optimum health care as close to home as possible.

WAHA provides health care services to people living along the western James Bay and Hudson Bay coasts. They get their name from the Cree people in this region, who refer to the waterways that make up this traditional territory as Weeneebayko. The majority of people living in the region’s coastal communities are of proud Cree lineage.

WAHA’s vision is to distinguish the organization as a provider of quality health services with a holistic approach that reflects the distinct needs of all peoples in the Weeneebayko region.

Pharmascience

Pharmascience Inc. is a leading Canadian generic pharmaceutical company founded in 1983 and headquartered in Montreal, Quebec. With more than 1,500 employees, it is Quebec’s largest pharmaceutical employer. Pharmascience has over 1,300 products, including generic, branded and OTC medicines, marketed in 50+ countries globally. Pharmascience supplies over 45 million prescriptions annually to Candian patients, making it Canada’s largest privately held generic drug manufacturer.

North West Telepharmacy Solutions (NTS)

North West Telepharmacy Solutions is Canada’s largest provider of remote pharmacy services, delivering 24/7 clinical pharmacy support to over 100 hospitals, clinics, and health organizations across the country. Founded in 2004, NTS specializes in virtual medication order review, pharmacist-led clinics and rural workforce innovation, ensuring safe and timely care for patients in regions where onsite pharmacists may not be available. Its services span antimicrobial stewardship, medication reconciliation, opioid safety and chronic disease management, all delivered by licensed pharmacists and pharmacy technicians integrated into local care teams. To learn more, visit www.northwesttelepharmacy.ca.

In 2015, the NTS’s parent company, the North West Company, established the Healthy Horizons Foundation. The Canadian charity provides financial grants to support health, wellness, physical activity and education programs for children and youth in more than 125 Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit and Métis) communities.

Mohawk Medbuy

Mohawk Medbuy Corporation (MMC) is a national, not-for-profit, shared services organization that supports hundreds of health care providers across Canada, as well as child welfare agencies and other public sector organizations. MMC provides value-driven contracting and procurement solutions for medical/surgical supplies, pharmaceutical products, local sourcing, capital (equipment, FF&E and redevelopment) and nutrition solutions. Other services include data analytics, in-hospital logistics, warehousing, technology, procure-to-pay and accounts payable. 

With an emerging focus on sustainability and reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples, MMC is actively supporting the creation of a resilient value chain that incorporates environmental, social and governance best practices. Based in Burlington, ON, the organization also has offices in Toronto, Oakville, Thunder Bay, Kingston, Brantford, London and Chatham, and a distribution centre in Oakville.