With the past few years that we have all had, I think anyone can agree that we have all realized that the healthcare industry is more important than ever before! This goes double for our local pharmacies, who often feel the brunt of customer pressure and provide a number of essential services for their communities.
Pharmacies and the employees within them are often overlooked when it comes to celebrating healthcare practitioners, mostly due to the fact that they are not included in immediate treatment but rather the aftercare and routine elements of care. But the services they provide, from immunizations to prescription drugs to medication advising, are essential to making sure our community is well.
That is why you should look forward to celebrating Pharmacy Appreciation Month – otherwise known as PAM!
What Is #PAM? When Is It?
To put it simply, Pharmacy Appreciation Month is one month of the year to celebrate pharmacists, pharmacies, and everything they do for us. In Canada, March has been designated as Pharmacy Appreciation Month. It was originally centered more on awareness than appreciation, but it has become clear that pharmacies should be celebrated for their services!
#PAM is the social media movement dedicated to thanking your local pharmacy or pharmacist for their hard work. Did you know that Canada has over 10,000 pharmacies between physical and online locations? It’s true! Check out this Canadian Pharmacy for an example of an online pharmacy and the huge range of services that they offer.
Why Pharmacy Appreciation Is Important
You may be thinking…what’s the big deal? Why exactly is Pharmacy Appreciation Month important, and why should I show my appreciation for pharmacists? These are all valid questions. The main answer is that pharmacists are a vital part of any healthcare team, yet their contributions are often overlooked.
Here are just a few of the essential services that pharmacies provide. Try to imagine life without easy access to them!
- Immunizations and vaccinations. In the time of COVID-19, the role of pharmacies has become more essential than ever. By providing access to vaccines for the public, pharmacists work hard to help eliminate the threat of the coronavirus. Flu shots and annual immunizations are also essential services that thousands of people require every year!
- Dispensing prescription medication. Medication is an essential part of healthcare, and pharmacists ensure that patients can easily find their prescription and offer professional advice. From antibiotics to antidepressants to seizure medication, pharmacists help us all feel better over and over!
- Wellness and health screenings. In addition to medication and immunizations, pharmacies offer health and wellness screenings that can help you determine what is ailing you and if further medical assistance is needed. Without such screenings, issues may not be caught or would need expensive hospital testing.
These are just a few of the essential services that pharmacies and pharmacists provide to their clients every single day! Without them, healthcare would be much less accessible and comprehensive. That is why Pharmacy Appreciation Month is important!
Look Forward to March!
Now that you know about #PAM and why the month of March is so important, you can share your appreciation for your pharmacy and the services they provide. Check out their website to see if they are participating in any promotional events, or simply use #PAM to advertise your support on social media.
Each time you head to the pharmacy to pick up some cough syrup or refill your meds, think about the services pharmacists supply and how hard they work to make sure everyone is well. When you do, let them know how much you appreciate them – in March and all year round!
