Neighbourly fundraiser supports CFP innovation

A fundraising effort launched by Neighbourly Pharmacy during its recent Elevate Leadership Conference in Vancouver, is helping shine a bigger spotlight on the Canadian Foundation for Pharmacy (CFP) and its role in supporting pharmacy innovation across the profession.

The initiative has raised approximately $2,300 so far, with Neighbourly Pharmacy matching donations up to a total of $10,000.

For Rita Winn (pictured above), Director of of Lovell Drugs, which is owned by Neighbourly Pharmacy, and Vice-Chair of CFP, the effort was about more than fundraising. “CFP is the best-kept secret in pharmacy and many frontline pharmacists aren’t really aware of it.” That lack of awareness extends not only to donations, but also to the grants and innovation funding opportunities available through CFP.

During the conference, attendees heard from pharmacists who are developing creative solutions in areas such as diabetes care, mental health and specialty pharmacy services. Given that part of CFP’s Innovation Fund is designed to feel more accessible to pharmacists who may not see themselves as traditional researchers, but who are still identifying important gaps in care and developing solutions within their communities, Winn says more people need to know about it.

“The ‘Move the Needle’ component of this fund is really tailored to those creative individual pharmacists who see a need in their community and want to figure out how they can support those patients,” she said. “Those smaller projects can actually have a big impact and then be replicated in other settings.”

Neighbourly promoted CFP through conference materials and at the event with a video describing what the Foundation is all about.  Attendees were encouraged to donate through a QR-code linked to a donation page. The first to provide donations are also receiving a free copy of the Pharmacy Management in Canada textbook, produced by CFP.

Winn says she hopes Neighbourly’s initiative encourages more pharmacy professionals—and other organizations across the industry—to engage with the foundation and the opportunities it provides.

“If your innovation [idea] works and you get featured, then it gets shared across the country and others can do the same thing,” she says. “It helps move pharmacy practice forward.”