College of Pharmacy and Nutrition at the U of S launches new Medication Assessment Centre

The centre is one of only two programs of its kind in Canada.  The Centre offers comprehensive medication assessments, provided by faculty and students at the College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, for any patients who may benefit.  Its vision is to demonstrate national leadership in the education of health professionals while optimizing the health of our community. 

Currently, pharmacy students in Saskatchewan lack adequate exposure to authentic clinical activities, with real patients within a controlled, supervised environment, where faculty can evaluate students and provide feedback for improvement.  By participating in real patient interactions early and often in their undergraduate training at the college, it is believed that students will be more adequately prepared to be quickly integrated into the health system upon graduation.  Practicing pharmacists will also be offered the opportunity to refine their medication assessment skills by participating in the Centre.

“The Medication Assessment Centre is a welcome addition to the College of Pharmacy and Nutrition,” said Dean David Hill. “The vision for pharmacy is optimal drug therapy outcomes for Canadians through patient-centred care and the Medication Assessment Centre will provide an additional platform for our students to learn how to best provide care for their patients.”

Derek Jorgenson, Associate Professor at the College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, and Director of the 
Medication Assessment Centre said the Centre will a key tool for collaboration between members of the health care team.  “As a practicing pharmacist, I see the value that a service like this will bring not only to patients, but to other health care practitioners as well.  The Centre will be a great resource for any practitioner who is trying to optimize their patients’ drug therapy.”  

Patients can be referred to the Medication Assessment Centre for an assessment by their health care providers (family doctors, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, physiotherapists, etc.) or they can self-refer by calling the 306-966-6392.  People are encouraged to consider booking an appointment for themselves, family, or friends who are taking five or more medications, are experiencing drug related side effects, who are having trouble remembering to take their medication or are taking them incorrectly, have chronic conditions (diabetes, high blood pressure, chronic pain) or who have multiple drug related questions.