Pharmacy Team Members For The Day:
MLAs Get Behind-The-Scenes Pharmacy Experience At Unique Event
For Immediate Release
June 6, 2025
Dartmouth, NS - Yesterday, MLAs across Nova Scotia took part in the 3rd annual Bring Your MLA to Work Day.
Pharmacy teams across Nova Scotia support the health and wellness of hundreds of thousands of Nova Scotians every year. Our Bring Your MLA to Work Day gave MLAs an inside look at how pharmacies operate, some of the challenges team face and the incredible breadth and quality of services our teams provide their constituents every day.
MLAs were impressed by the healthcare services available to their constituents close to home. This sentiment was echoed by Premier Tim Houston, who took part in the event. “Our community pharmacies are an important partner in providing primary care to Nova Scotians. I visited two pharmacies on Bring Your MLA to Work Day yesterday and enjoyed speaking and learning from the teams there. The work of pharmacy professionals across this province is incredible, and I want to thank the 46 primary care pharmacy clinics who are providing important care to hundreds of thousands of Nova Scotians so far,” said Premier Tim Houston.
While public awareness about what pharmacy teams can do is improving, there is always more work to be done to ensure every Nova Scotian understands how they can access care at their local pharmacy or Community Pharmacy Primary Care Clinic.
"Pharmacy teams can do more than ever before," said Allison Bodnar, CEO of the Pharmacy Association of Nova Scotia (PANS). "Teams across the province provided over 435,000 pharmacy services last year- in pharmacist-led primary care clinics and through community pharmacies. They contributed to a 10% decrease in emergency room visits for less serious conditions, and diverted thousands of patients away from already busy walk-in clinics. Pharmacy teams are expertly trained healthcare professionals who provide exceptional care – our system is finally getting to benefit of their full scope and potential.”
“We had a great visit with our MLA today, “says Bedford-based pharmacist Fady Faltas. “Not only were we able to give them a behind-the-scenes tour, but we were also able to have a one-on-one conversation about healthcare in our province and how pharmacies positively impact patient lives every day. There is so much to learn from each other.”
Adegoke Fadare, MLA Clayton Park West shared on his Facebook page yesterday, “But what stood out most was this: it’s more than just a patient visit. It’s a relationship. A partnership between healthcare professionals and the people they serve. It’s about familiarity, trust, and care, with a human face. From COVID-19 and Shingles vaccines, to RSV protection, Lyme disease prevention, iron testing, and the Bloom Program for mental health and addiction, this team is transforming how care is delivered.”
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About:
Bring Your MLA to Work Day is an initiative of the Pharmacy Association of Nova Scotia (PANS), the advocacy body for pharmacy professionals in Nova Scotia, dedicated to advancing the practice of pharmacy and improving the health of our community.
Contact:
Martha Lowe
Manager of Communications
Pharmacy Association of Nova Scotia
martha@pans.ns.ca | (902) 422-9583 ex 4