Shortage of pharmacists at the CISSS de l’Outaouais according to A.P.E.S

Shortage of pharmacists at the CISSS de l’Outaouais according to A.P.E.S

The Association des pharmaciens des établissements de santé (APES) of Quebec states that according to their most recent survey, facilities at the Centre intégré de santé et de services sociaux (CISSS) de l’Outaouais are grappling with a significant shortage of pharmacists. According to the results of the most recent annual survey by the A.P.E.S. the region had a shortage rate of 22%. Out of a total of 49 positions at the CISSS de l’Outaouais, 11 full-time equivalent (FTE) pharmacist positions remained unfilled.

The A.P.E.S. believes that this shortage is detrimental to the pharmaceutical care coverage offered to hospitalized, outpatient and long-term care patients. Insufficient pharmaceutical care in a health establishment also generates several negative consequences, such as the increased risk of incidents and drug accidents, the lengthening of the average length of hospitalizations, the risk of adverse effects and interactions, decreased quality of life for patients, as well as additional costs to the healthcare system. The A.P.E.S. therefore calls for rapid action from the Quebec government in order to resolve the situation and avoid too serious consequences on the care and services of the population.

Across Quebec, one in five institutional pharmacist positions (19%) was unfilled.