Ontario’s 10,000 pharmacists are ready to help their patients prepare for H1N1 “swine” flu
How do you tell the difference between a cold, seasonal flu and H1N1? Do you know when you need a surgical mask … and when you don’t? Ask your pharmacist for an H1N1 Influenza Preparedness Information Kit
Toronto, September 8, 2009 – Every community pharmacy across the province will soon have H1N1 flu preparedness information kits ready to help Ontarians prepare for and cope with the potential impact of a pandemic. This initiative is consistent with community pharmacy’s central role in the health care system. The Ontario government has previously asked pharmacy to act as a distribution point for public information and education materials on West Nile Virus, flu shots and other important public health matters.
The kits, which provide patients and consumers with straightforward, useful information about H1N1 “swine” flu, are available now on the Ontario’s Community Pharmacies website, at www.ontariocommunitypharmacies.ca.
“As health care providers in the community, pharmacists are accessible and well-equipped to answer questions about H1N1,” says Dr. Donald Low, Microbiologist-in-Chief, Department of Microbiology at Mount Sinai Hospital. “As we learned from the SARS experience, pharmacists play a vital role in addressing people’s questions and concerns.”
Pharmacists’ Role in Public Health
The Ontario Health Plan for an Influenza Pandemic 2008 was developed with input from a number of pharmacists, reflecting the important role that these health care providers play in a pandemic situation. The Ontario Agency for Health Protection and Promotion supports the Chief Medical Officer of Health in preparing for and responding to the impact of the pandemic in this province.
“Pharmacists have the necessary training and knowledge to play an increasingly important role in addressing public health concerns such as H1N1,” says Dr. Vivek Goel, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Ontario Agency for Health Protection and Promotion. “Their involvement in pandemic planning was invaluable and patients across Ontario can rely on their local pharmacists to help them with their questions about H1N1.”
The H1N1 Flu Preparedness Kit Dispels Myths
Ontario’s Community Pharmacies have developed and collected several key documents containing practical information for pharmacists to share with their patients. Materials in the H1N1 information kit include a handout to help understand common myths and facts, a preparation checklist, and a summary on “How to handwash” with soap and water and “How to handrub” using hand sanitizers.
Some of the most common ‘myths’ that the kit helps to address are:
• Wearing a surgical mask when out in public places is the most effective method to prevent catching the H1N1 flu virus;
• It’s easy to tell the difference between a cold, seasonal flu and H1N1;
• I can catch H1N1 by eating pork.
“The H1N1 flu preparedness information kit provides useful facts and information to the people of Ontario and encourages them to seek advice from their pharmacist,” says Dennis Darby, Chief Executive Officer of the Ontario Pharmacists’ Association. “We invite anyone with a question or concern about H1N1 to come and speak with a pharmacist in their community.”
Starting over the next two weeks, free copies of the kit can be obtained by visiting any pharmacy in Ontario.
Starting over the next two weeks, free copies of the kit can be obtained by visiting any pharmacy in Ontario. [You can also download a single PDF file here]
About Ontario’s Community Pharmacies
Ontario’s pharmacy community is made up of more than 100,000 people: pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and other employees whose first responsibility is to deliver quality, accessible health care to Ontarians. Ontario’s Community Pharmacies include independent owner-operated stores, “banner” groups of independently-owned stores that work together, as well as large and small pharmacy chains.
Ontario’s Community Pharmacies are supported by a range of associations and organizations that represent both the profession and the neighbourhood business of pharmacy, including the Ontario Pharmacists’ Association, the Independent Pharmacists of Ontario, the Canadian Association of Chain Drug Stores and the Ontario Chain Drug Association.
Ontario’s Community Pharmacies are dedicated to providing trusted one-on-one personal health care to our patients. The organization plays an important and growing role as vital health care infrastructure province-wide – promoting public health objectives and ensuring reliable emergency preparedness in the case of an acute need, such as a potential infectious disease pandemic.
Visit the Ontario’s Community Pharmacies website at www.ontariocommunitypharmacies.ca.
-30-
For more information, please contact:
Jill McKinlay-Morris
416 859 8714
Ellen Woodger
416 483 2358
Lindsay George
Ontario Pharmacists’ Association
416 441 0788 ext. 4236