Empowering patient care: Wendy Siu’s journey in pharmacy

March is Pharmacy Appreciation Month; a time to celebrate pharmacy teams across the country and across our network. In honour of this month, we are spotlighting one of the many pharmacists who are making a difference to the health of Canadians. Meet Wendy Siu, from the Patient Contact Centre, whose keen interest in learning the mechanism of drugs led her to a career as a pharmacist. 

Wendy joined Shoppers Drug Mart in 2017 as a pharmacy student. Back then she never imagined the profession would provide the variety of opportunities to deliver care, both in-person and virtually, as it does just eight years later. Today Wendy works at the Patient Contact Centre (PCC), part of Central Pharmacy Services (CPS), providing remote support to select Shoppers Drug Mart and Loblaw pharmacies with data and clinical verification.  

“When a patient gets a new prescription from their doctor, a pharmacist has to verify that this new medication is prescribed for the right reason, that the dosage and direction of use are appropriate, check for allergies, and assess any interactions with other medications that the patient is taking,” explains Wendy. By managing this verification process remotely, Wendy and team are helping free up time for the retail pharmacists so they can better engage with patients in person and deliver the services and care that patients are looking for. 

At the PCC, Wendy and her colleagues also have the opportunity to provide direct support to patients, via the PC Health App “Chat with your care team – Pharmacist” function which is something she really enjoys. 

With nearly six million Canadians lacking regular access to a primary care provider, pharmacists across our network are stepping up to provide much needed and greatly appreciated care.  

“I really admire the pharmacists who work in retail settings full-time,” says Wendy, who also works one day per week in a Shoppers Drug Mart pharmacy. “It can get so busy when you’re the only pharmacist on shift, and they still do an incredible job managing patient care.”  

That retail experience gives her valuable face-to-face time with patients, and she’s equally grateful for the mentorship opportunities that come with her work at CPS. 

“When I come to work, I know there are at least 11 other pharmacists who I can look to for guidance or advice, and they will come to me with their questions as well,” says Wendy. “We have a supportive and collaborative team here. We get opportunities to pilot new initiatives and programs and to provide our feedback to central office. Knowing that my voice is heard and my advice is respected makes coming to work something I look forward to every day.”  

Throughout the month of March be sure to pop into your local Shoppers Drug Mart or Loblaw Pharmacy to share your appreciation for all that pharmacy professionals do to help you and your loved ones Live Life Well.