PCN Clinical Pharmacists
Primary Care Network (PCN) Clinical Pharmacists are part of the Interprofessional Teams (IPT). They provide their clinical expertise to collaborate with family physicians, nurse practitioners, and their patients in the context of shared decision-making to assess medications and determine if they are necessary, effective, safe, and feasible.
Benefits of the PCN Pharmacists
To the healthcare team:
- Recommend evidence-based treatments & collaborating with the care team about medication planning & monitoring
- Summarize patient histories and prior medication use to support shared decision-making
- Lead quality improvement initiatives to support chronic disease management, optimizing prescribing patterns, or conducting preventative health care
- Offer Care Conferencing via the IPT referral form or directly through clinic co-location
To patients:
- Dedicated time to provide patient education and address needs/goals relating to medications
- Support in medication changes, including deprescribing as appropriate
Roles & Responsibilities
A PCN Pharmacist provides Comprehensive Medication Management services to patients. This involves assessments and recommendations beyond a basic medication review to ensure a patient’s medications are appropriate and effective for the medical condition.
The PCN Pharmacist can support in:
- Chronic Disease Management through medication and dose optimization
- Deprescribing (e.g. reassess ongoing need and benefit of medications)
- Polypharmacy Risk Reduction (e.g. monitor for adverse events following discontinuation of a medication)
- Medication Reconciliation (e.g., review that medication is appropriately initiated or discontinued following hospital discharge or at other transitions of care)
- Care coordination (e.g., Review for more affordable alternatives to medications)
Ways of Working with the PCN Pharmacist
Primary Care Clinical Pharmacists are a part of the Interprofessional Team (IPT) Allied Health Disciplines. Clinics accessing the IPT can send referrals to the PCN Pharmacist through this program.
Learn more about the Interprofessional Teams program.
If your clinic is already accessing the PCN Interprofessional Teams program, a PCN Pharmacist can be co-located in your clinic, at no cost, on a regular schedule to fit your clinic’s needs (e.g., biweekly for a ½ day.).
The PCN Clinical Pharmacist will bring their expertise to support medication management directly to your clinic’s context. A clinic co-location with EMR access:
- Supports team-based care
- Decreases administrative burden
- Improves opportunities for comprehensive care
- Supports case-finding opportunities
PCN Pharmacist Co-location One-pager
If you are interested in learning more about having a PCN Pharmacist co-located in your clinic, please contact your Community Network Manager.
Current Opportunity: Sign up for a Co-location Trial with a PCN Pharmacist!
If your clinic is already accessing the PCN Interprofessional Teams program, you can participate in a co-location trial. This involves a 2-hr on-site visit to experience how to work together with a PCN Clinical Pharmacist.
A PCN Pharmacist will come to your clinic and see a maximum of 1-2 patients.
- The PCN Pharmacist will have a 1-hour consultation with the patient OR can attend a complex patient appointment with you.
- The PCN Pharmacist can answer questions and send you consult notes after the trial.
No commitment is required after participating in a co-location trial.
We have available slots throughout October to November, 2025. If you are interested in participating or want more information, please contact your Community Network Manager.
