Funding Recipients

Principal Investigator: Paul Grootendorst (LDFP) 

Co-Principal Investigator: Alex Hoagland (DLSPH)   

Summary of Research: In addition to traditional drug dispensing-related services, pharmacists now provide pharmacist healthcare (“PHC”) services such as vaccinations, medication reviews, and minor ailments assessments. Pharmacy owners will provide these services if they are profitable. These profits depend on pharmacy ownership type, size, membership in a banner or corporate chain, and the number of pharmacies in the banner or chain. We investigate the role of these factors on PHC service volume using a novel Ontario pharmacy-level dataset that combines public insurance claims data with pharmacy ownership and other characteristics.

Principal Investigator: Aaron Drucker (DLSPH)  

Co-Principal Investigator: Mina Tadrous (LDFP)

Summary of Research: A minor ailment prescribing service was launched in Ontario pharmacies in 2023. Five of the 19 minor ailments that pharmacists are eligible to manage are skin conditions. Quality prescribing for skin conditions can improve outcomes and reduce the burden on the healthcare system, but it is unclear whether pharmacists have the necessary skillset. We will assess pharmacist management of minor skin ailments. Results can then be used to develop educational tools for pharmacists.

Principal Investigator: Tara Gomes (LDFP)

Co-Principal Investigator: Sara Allin (DLSPH)

Summary of Research: Flash Glucose Monitoring systems (FGMs) are a novel diabetes management device used for glucose testing and are funded by the Ontario Drug Benefit (ODB) program. Our study explores whether access to these devices through the ODB is timely for patients who need them and whether these devices improve clinical outcomes. We will also look at whether differences exist based on immigration status and pharmacist interventions.

Principal Investigator: Zubin Austin (LDFP)

Co-Principal Investigator: Abi Sriharan (DLSPH)   

Summary of Research: As Artificial Intelligence (AI) becomes more routinely used in healthcare, there is urgency in ensuring it is used safely, effectively, and in the best interests of patients. Regulatory bodies are responsible for ensuring those who practice a profession and provide professional services and health care meet requirements and expectations. This project is examining roles, responsibilities, and opportunities of regulatory bodies to ensure safe and responsible adoption of AI in pharmacy practice.

Principal Investigator: Sara Guilcher (LDFP)

Co-Principal Investigator: Aisha Lofters (DLSPH)

Summary of Research: We are exploring factors that influence the collection and reporting of patients' experiences with their medications to help improve quality of care and health service delivery. In understanding the barriers and facilitators, we hope to identify how to support the integration of a patient-reported experience measure for medication into routine care.

Principal Investigator: Jaris Swidrovich (LDFP)

Co-Principal Investigator: Carol Strike (DLSPH)

Summary of Research: This project will assist in determining what can be achieved in community pharmacy settings to mitigate the harms of an unregulated drug supply and advocate for safer use practices in rural areas, specifically in the districts of Algoma, Thunder Bay, and Sudbury, where opioid-related toxicity deaths are the highest in Ontario.

Principal Investigator: Monica Aggarwal (DLSPH) 

Co-Principal Investigator: Lisa Dolovich (LDFP)  

Summary of Research: Ontario Health Teams represent a significant evolution in healthcare delivery, striving to integrate services and improve patient outcomes across Ontario, Canada. Currently, there is a critical gap in effective governance models that facilitate collaboration between primary care providers (e.g., family doctors, nurse practitioners) and pharmacy teams, which is essential for achieving patient-centered care and the quintuple aim. Our study seeks to address this gap by developing a governance model informed by a rigorous literature review and key stakeholder interviews. Expected outcomes include better-integrated care and improved healthcare delivery within Ontario Health Teams.

Principal Investigator: Bradley Langford (DLSPH)

Co-Principal Investigator: Miranda So (LDFP) 

Summary of Research: To tackle the public health threat from resistant bacteria, we explore ways to increase the impact of community pharmacists in ensuring antibiotics are used properly – antibiotic stewardship – to preserve their ability to treat infections. Our project begins with a literature review, and will be followed by surveys and interviews with pharmacists, patient partners, caregivers, and physicians.

Principal Investigator: Samir Gupta (DLSPH)

Co-Principal Investigator: Jamie Kellar (LDFP) 

Summary of Research: The Electronic Asthma Management System for Pharmacies (eAMS-Pharm) provides computerized clinical decision support to pharmacists, empowering them to bridge asthma care gaps by presenting them with patient-specific guideline-recommended treatment optimizations within their workflows. This project will optimize the eAMS-Pharm through user focus groups, and pilot the system in pharmacies.

Principal Investigator: Shelly Bolotin (DLSPH) 

Co-Principal Investigator: Alison Thompson (LDFP)

Summary of Research: Our goal is to fill knowledge gaps on vaccine coverage among children of immigrants and gaps on vaccination knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs among immigrant parents/guardians. We will also fill gaps on whom these communities trust for vaccine information, contributing to evidence on the expanded role for pharmacists as trusted vaccinators.