Evaluation of a Pharmacist-Led Clinic in a Canadian Remand Facility

Abstract

The health of Canadians in correctional facilities is poor when compared with the general population. Pharmacists effectively manage chronic illness and minor ailments; pharmacist-led prescriber clinics are being introduced in the community to improve access to care. However, there are no data on this model in correctional facilities. This article aims to evaluate the role of a pharmacist-led prescriber clinic in a provincial remand facility in Alberta, Canada, via a retrospective chart review of a weekly pharmacist-led clinic in a remand center from January to May of 2023. Data were collected for number of patients, drug therapy problems addressed, types and acceptance of interventions, and follow-up plans. Pharmacists saw an average of 8.8 patients per clinic with 1.9 interventions per patient. Most patients (83%) presented with untreated symptoms or indication. For many, pharmacists’ interventions resulted in care that fully resolved concerns in a manner acceptable to patients, and 13% of cases were referred to alternative prescribers. This review adds to current literature on pharmacist intervention capacity; however, it does not include clinical outcomes. Pharmacists with prescribing authority in a clinic setting provide patients effective medication support, opening possibilities of expanding pharmacist practice models for quality patient care and increasing access to timely care.