The pharmacist's role in primary care within an integrated health system

Abstract

I read, with interest, the paper by Rosser and Kasperski. I was struck by how similar and applicable the problems and issues identified for family physicians are to those pharmacists face today in Canada's health system. There is a need for a coordinated and systematic approach to address infrastructure support for all primary-care providers. In this companion article, I will provide evidence to support the Ontario College of Family Physicians' position on strengthening family physicians' abilities to provide excellent primary care. In addition, I will make a case for support of greater involvement of pharmacists in community-based primary-care teams.