MONTRÉAL, Aug. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Pharmacy leaders, invited from around the world, gathered in Montréal today for an international forum on advancing pharmacists' integration into primary health care, where they identified workforce readiness, sustainable funding models, supportive regulatory frameworks and interprofessional collaboration as key conditions for consistent and sustainable integration. The findings will inform a joint CPhA–APhA report intended to support policy development and health-system implementation in Canada, the United States and internationally with FIP.

Co-hosted by the Canadian Pharmacists Association (CPhA) and the American Pharmacists Association (APhA), in collaboration with the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP), the International Forum on Primary Health Care: Advancing Pharmacy's Role in Primary Health Care – A Global Leadership Dialogue included senior leaders from pharmacy associations, regulators, academia and health systems, who exchanged perspectives and experiences from different countries and jurisdictions.

Globally, pharmacists are taking on broader roles in primary health care, with evidence of their impact on chronic disease management, medication safety, transitions of care and preventive health services. However, significant differences remain in how pharmacists are integrated into health systems and in the policy, workforce and funding structures that support their roles.

"Health systems are under growing pressure to improve access to primary health care, and pharmacists have an essential role to play," said Glen Doucet, CEO, Canadian Pharmacists Association. "Integrating pharmacists more fully into primary health care is not simply about expanding the profession's role; it is about making better use of the health workforce we have to improve care for patients and strengthen health systems."

The forum examined how different models of pharmacist integration and funding affect patient access, quality of care and health system performance. Discussions also explored the education, training, workforce capacity and practice supports pharmacists need to practise effectively to their full scope.

"Around the world, healthcare systems are looking to pharmacists to play a greater role in meeting patient needs and advancing primary care," said Michael Hogue, Executive Vice President and CEO of the American Pharmacists Association. "Success depends not only on expanding scope, but on preparing and supporting the workforce to deliver on that opportunity. When pharmacists and pharmacy teams have the resources and practice environments they need to thrive, patients gain better access to care, healthier outcomes, and a stronger healthcare system."

The forum also examined how regulatory frameworks, reimbursement models, interprofessional collaboration and health-system infrastructure can move pharmacist-led care from isolated models toward consistent integration into primary care.

"We know countries are at different stages of integrating pharmacists, pharmacy educators and pharmaceutical scientists into the delivery of primary health care, but also many of the successes are shared," said Catherine Duggan, CEO, International Pharmaceutical Federation. "Workforce development, expansion of scope of practice, sustainable funding and health-system design must work together. By comparing experiences across countries, we can better understand which approaches can be adapted across health systems and where solutions need to reflect local realities."

The forum took place ahead of the 84th FIP World Congress of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, being held in Montréal from August 30 to September 2, setting the stage for further international exchange and collaboration during the Congress.

CPhA and APhA will produce a joint report outlining the Forum's findings, examples from participating jurisdictions and considerations for policymakers and pharmacy leaders. The report will be shared broadly to support the sustainable integration of pharmacists into primary care. FIP will be involved in international translation of this report.

About the American Pharmacists Association

Founded in 1852, APhA is the only organization advancing the entire pharmacy profession. From its headquarters in Washington, DC, APhA leads the pharmacy profession by supporting pharmacists, student pharmacists, and pharmacy technicians in their role optimizing medication use and patient health outcomes and ensuring patients have access to pharmacists' care. We do this through our strong and effective advocacy, top notch education, practice tools and resources, dissemination of evidence, and opportunities for members to engage and learn from each other. APhA is the pharmacy voice at the table in developing national guidelines, policies, and best practices that advance the profession and patient care. To learn more, visit www.pharmacist.com.

About the Canadian Pharmacists Association

CPhA is the uniting national voice of pharmacy and the pharmacy profession in Canada. As pharmacists undertake an enhanced role in the delivery of health care services, CPhA ensures that the profession is recognized as a national leader in health care, influencing the policies, programs, budgets and initiatives affecting the profession and the health of Canadians. More information is available at www.pharmacists.ca. 

About the International Pharmaceutical Federation

Set up to advance pharmacy worldwide in 1912, the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) is the global federation for pharmacy practice, pharmacy education and pharmaceutical sciences, and is in official relations with the World Health Organization. Through its 160 member organisations, it represents over 5.5 million pharmacists, pharmacy educators and pharmaceutical scientists around the world. www.fip.org 

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SOURCE American Pharmacists Association