Research Ongoing

Identifying what type of pharmacy model would be the best for supporting rural and remote communities

Scientific Study Title:

The feasibility and costs of pharmacy models supporting rural and remote communities: A simulation study

Start Date:

2026

End Date:

2030

Research Category

Health Systems, Policies & Economics

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Why do this research?

Reason For Research

In British Columbia (BC), people living in rural and remote communities have more difficulties accessing services provided by community pharmacies compared to people who live in urban communities. Some remote communities do not even have a pharmacy. To act on this problem, new innovative pharmacy models for pharmacy services in rural and remote communities have been recommended by researchers, policy makers, and pharmacy associations. These pharmacy models include providing financial incentives to existing rural pharmacies, expanding telepharmacy and virtual services, and introducing not-for-profit pharmacies. However, right now, it is unclear which pharmacy model could be the most feasible and cost-saving in BC rural and remote communities, and it is costly and time-consuming to implement and compare all these models in the real-world.

Methodology

Execution of Research

We will first examine the feasibility of these new pharmacy models from the perspectives of both pharmacy service providers and users. We will then use something called simulation modeling to help guide us on which pharmacy model would be the best. This is a suitable alternative to running these studies in the real world. Specifically, we will evaluate and compare the access to pharmacy and other health care services, and the costs associated with different pharmacy models in BC rural and remote communities through simulations.

Who is involved?

Involvement

Rural and remote pharmacy service providers, including pharmacists, pharmacy owners, and decision makers, as well as pharmacy service users and potential users will be involved as study participants. They will take part in surveys and interviews.

Findings & Next Steps

Rural and remote pharmacy service users will be recruited to share their experiences with local pharmacy services and to describe unmet needs within the current pharmacy system. Patient partners are included as members of our advisory committee, providing input on study design, survey development, simulation modelling, data analysis, result interpretation, and knowledge translation.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

Equity, diversity, and inclusion are an integral part of our research team and participant recruitment. Our research team is made up of an interdisciplinary and interprofessional team with diverse backgrounds by gender, ethnicity, career stage, and expertise. Additionally, our advisory committee is composed of pharmacists and patients with lived experiences of rural pharmacy. When recruiting study participants like pharmacy service providers and users, we aim to recruit a diverse and inclusive sample regarding participant roles, expertise, sex, and gender.

External Partners & Contacts

Principal Investigators:

Wei Zhang, Research Scientist, Health Economics, Arthritis Research Canada (Associate Professor, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia)
I fan Kuo, Senior Director, Special Authority, Optimal Use and Evaluation, BC Ministry of Health
Olivia Tseng, Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Family Practice, University of British Columbia

Co-investigators:

Nick Bansback, Research Scientist, Health Economics, Arthritis Research Canada (Professor, School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia)
Feng Chang, Associate Professor, School of Pharmacy, University of Waterloo
Jennifer Davis, Associate Professor, Faculty of Management, University of British Columbia
Adam Easterbrook, Program Head – Knowledge Translation, Centre for Advancing Health Outcomes
Michael Law, Professor, Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary
Larry Leung, Associate Professor of Teaching, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia
Larry Lynd, Professor, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia
Jason Min, Associate Professor of Teaching, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia
Craig Mitton, Professor, School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia
William Wong, Professor, School of Pharmacy, University of Waterloo
Peter Zed, Professor, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia

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Ready to Participate?

Why do this research?

Methodology

Who is involved?

Findings & Next Steps

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

External Partners & Contacts

Related Research

Identifying what type of pharmacy model would be the best for supporting rural and remote communities

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