The evolution of new pharmacy services explored

It is often said that it takes a village to raise a child, and so it is with the information we need to make sense of the changing world around us: it takes many sources – experts, professionals, experienced practitioners, and even street-smart types – to empower us to take better care of ourselves and others.

True, various multi-lane highways of information often assault our senses to the point of distraction. But it's also true and useful to know that there are people who can simplify the complexities of life so we can understand the many implications of inevitable changes in our lives. All we have to do is seek these people out.

Which brings me to the point: give the Golda Meir (Chomedey) Chapter of Montreal Hadassah-WIZO credit for bringing the world into their semi-monthly meetings, where precious information is dispensed by effective communicators who know how to motivate, stimulate, and inform with knowledge, insight, and perception that strike at the core of the human condition – the desire to be spoken to with respect, consideration and caring.

"We have invited Linda Belanger, a practicing pharmacist for the past quarter century," says Chapter founder, current president, and spokesperson Evie Applebee.

The many advances made by physicians and medical researchers in the past 25 years are well known and much discussed in books, in newspaper and magazine articles, on radio and Television talk shows, on CNN and other all day every day news networks, says a notice form the Chapter.

"Much less time and thought has been given to the changing role of the pharmacist," Mrs. Applebee points out, adding "Drug stores have become pharmacies, and your pharmacist has become a front line member of today’s medical team."

Why have a pharmacist spend time with a group of people looking for medical information, you might ask?

"Because the pharmacist has become an integral part of any medical team," answers Mrs. Applebee. But in what capacity? "Your health care team might include your family doctor if you are fortunate enough to have one, any number of specialists from opticians to dermatologists to chiropractors and cardiologists, nurses and social workers in hospitals. But in many cases that don't require visits to clinics or emergency rooms, the first contact is probably the pharmacist. In fact your pharmacist may well be not only the member of the health care team whom you see and consult with first, he or she may also be the one you consult with most often – looking for remedies that range from allergies to certain prescription drugs to relief of poison ivy itch," Mrs. Applebee adds.