IWK Pharmacy

11/28/2025

November is Crohn’s & Colitis Awareness Month! For more ways you can support your patients, visit:

https://crohnsandcolitis.ca/november-crohns-colitis-awareness-month

11/24/2025

💊 Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Awareness Week – Nov 18–24
As we wrap up AMR Awareness week, here are some tips on how we, as pharmacists, can do our part.

For more information, check out this year’s World AMR Awareness Week Campaign

https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-amr-awareness-week/2025

11/21/2025

We are meeting some excellent pharmacy residency candidates this week. Ever wonder what it would be like to be a pharmacy resident here? Check out our video! 👇👇👇

IWK Pharmacy Department is excited to be meeting candidates this week to join our hospital pharmacy residency program. We’ve created this short video to highlight the special experience of working and learning with our team of pharmacists and technicians who are experts in their field.
https://youtu.be/3AA7yVbcL0s?si=JkJTMNjQ5l-r0-oU

11/21/2025

Way to go team!

World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW), observed annually from November 18–24, is a global initiative led by the World Health Organization (WHO) to promote awareness and understanding of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This year’s theme, “Preventing Antimicrobial Resistance Together,” underscores the critical role that healthcare providers, patients, and policy makers all play in preserving the effectiveness of antimicrobials.

Antimicrobial resistance is one of the greatest threats to global public health, and is unfortunately outpacing advances in modern medicine. Exposure to antimicrobials results in the emergence of multi-drug resistant bacteria and fungi in our communities. As a result, common infections are becoming harder (and sometimes impossible) to treat, leading to prolonged hospital stays and increased mortality. In Canada, this is also compounded by limited access to new antimicrobials and ongoing supply chain challenges with existing antimicrobials.

Healthcare providers are on the front lines of this crisis, and we can all play an active role in tackling AMR. Antimicrobial stewardship means prescribing the right drug, at the right dose, for the right amount of time. Equally important, is reducing the risk of bacterial infection (and therefore the need for antibiotics) through infection prevention measures such as hand hygiene, and vaccination promotion. Open communication with patients about the risks of unnecessary antibiotic use also plays a vital role in public awareness.

At the IWK, Jeannette Comeau, MD and Jennifer Curran, PharmD co-lead the multidisciplinary Antimicrobial Stewardship Program (ASP) with a goal of supporting healthcare providers in antimicrobial stewardship efforts at both a patient and system level. The program consists of an interdisciplinary team of vital members within microbiology, infectious diseases, pediatrics, women’s health, infection prevention and control, and pharmacy. Firstline, the app designed to provide IWK specific guidance in the treatment of common infections and antimicrobial use, is frequently updated in collaboration with teams across the institution. Yearly antibiograms are published with surveillance of local antimicrobial resistance patterns, and the prospective antimicrobial assessment services aims to provide patient level support to clinicians in antimicrobial decision making.

Combating antimicrobial resistance requires a united, multidisciplinary approach. By championing judicious antimicrobial use and reinforcing infection prevention, together, we can help preserve the effectiveness of these life-saving medicines for future generations.

11/07/2025

Halloween is a very special day at IWK. Last week IWK pharmacy celebrated “On The Farm!” Happy Halloween! 🎃🚜🐔👩🏼‍🌾🐮🌾

10/21/2025

Happy Pharmacy Technicians Day!
Today we celebrate our amazing pharmacy technicians. They often work behind-the-scenes so that medications are accurately filled, safely prepared, and efficiently delivered to our patients. Their attention to detail and dedication to patient care are a vital part of the pharmacy. Thank you, pharmacy technicians, for all you do! 💙 💊

10/09/2025

IWK Pharmacy is now on Instagram! This page, along with our pages on other platforms (Facebook, LinkedIn) are run by pharmacy students on IPPE/APPE placements at IWK, advised by our drug information and professional practice leads.

Our goal is to share information and helpful drug-related resources for pharmacists and other health care professionals.

Please email druginfo@iwk.nshealth.ca if you have specific questions or topics you’d like to see addressed here regarding pharmacotherapy, medication safety, best practice, or recommended tools and resources for the IWK patient population.

10/09/2025

We had a great time at Residency Night last month! Reminder that the PRAMS portal for residency applications closes TODAY at 12pm eastern, and don’t forget to attach your cover letter! Best of luck to all applicants!

10/02/2025

IWK Health continues to follow the evidence-based best practices of credible Canadian medical bodies, including the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada and Health Canada, which continue to recommend acetaminophen as a safe and appropriate first-line option for managing fever and pain during pregnancy when medically needed, at recommended doses and for the shortest duration necessary.

Untreated fever and pain in pregnant women can pose risks to the unborn child. Families and pregnant women should continue to follow the advice of their health care providers.

There is no conclusive evidence of a causal link between acetaminophen use during pregnancy and autism.

09/25/2025

We found this post from a few years ago on World Pharmacist Day; specifically highlighting the role our pharmacists play in neonatal intensive care. While this video showcases one specific pharmacist, we have a whole team of pharmacists who practice with our littlest patients and their families.
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=887198875014257

09/25/2025

Happy World Pharmacists Day!

Today we recognize and celebrate the crucial role that pharmacists play in building healthier communities everywhere.

Not only do pharmacists ensure the safe and effective dispensing of medications, they are also clinical decision makers, patient educators, and health advocates. Pharmacists assess patient needs, collaborate with other health care providers, and uphold high ethical standards. At IWK, our pharmacists are medication experts across the lifespan!

08/15/2025

On vacation! See you the week of September 15th with new content. 😎