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Pharmacists Can Help Control Chronic Diseases That Account for 70 Per Cent Of Deaths In Canada
New report outlines how pharmacists can save up to $1.9 billion , managing these conditi...
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[{"type":"text","content":"\n\n\nNew report outlines how pharmacists can save up to $1.9 billion,\n managing these conditions is a government priority\n\n\nTORONTO, Sept. 4, 2013 /CNW/ - The increasing prevalence of complex\n chronic diseases is one of the most important health issues facing\n Canadians, making prevention and management a key priority for Canadian\n governments.  According to a new report, expanding the role of pharmacists is one\n solution that will reduce the burden of chronic illness on patients,\n and save the system an estimated $1.4 to $1.9 billion dollars over\n three years.\n\n\nThe report entitled, Sustainable Solutions Report: A Focus on Managing Complex Chronic\n Diseases, is being released by Arthritis Consumer Experts (ACE), the Arthritis\n Research Centre of Canada (ARC) and Shoppers Drug Mart, and includes\n new survey data showing support from physicians and Canadians who want\n pharmacists to play a bigger role in health care delivery.\n\n\nComplex chronic diseases, like arthritis, hypertension, diabetes,\n cancer, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, affect 37 per\n cent of Canadians and are a factor in 70 per cent of deaths.  Some risk\n factors for chronic diseases like age and genetics can't be helped,\n while others are controllable like diet, exercise, or tobacco use.  In\n 2011, the associated medical costs for individuals with these complex\n chronic diseases were estimated at $42 billion, or 21 per cent of total\n health care spending. This figure is expected to rise to $53 billion by\n 2015. These rising costs are unsustainable and solutions are needed\n now.\n\n\n\"Pharmacists already help in the management of chronic conditions, but\n they can do so much more,\" says Domenic Pilla, President and CEO,\n Shoppers Drug Mart. \"Governments have identified chronic disease as an\n immense challenge and they are investing significant dollars in\n prevention and treatment of these illnesses; using pharmacists more\n effectively can help achieve the goal of improving care for Canadians,\n while at the same time actually reducing costs to the health care system.\"\n\n\nHow Pharmacists Can Make A Difference\nThe Shoppers Drug Mart Sustainable Solutions Report includes a set of three practical steps governments can take to\n facilitate pharmacists playing a more substantial role in the\n manage...