The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Lela Evans, Minister of Health and Community Services:

Speaker, I rise today to recognize the compassion, expertise, and essential role that pharmacy professionals play in Newfoundland and Labrador’s health care system.

Pharmacy professionals, including pharmacists, technicians, assistants and interns, are trusted, accessible health professionals and vital pillars of care in communities throughout the province. They support patients every day and make a meaningful contribution to public health.

Our new government is committed to listening to health care workers, including pharmacy professionals, to better understand the challenges they face and the solutions they recommend.

Speaker, we are already taking concrete action. All 40 pharmacy students graduating from Memorial University in 2026 will be eligible for an enhanced $50,000 bursary through a return-in-service agreement to work in the public health system. This builds on existing recruitment and retention incentives, competitive benefits, and access to the public service pension plan.

We are also rebalancing our system to strengthen team-based care and looking at ways to support expanded scope of practice for pharmacists.

At the same time, we are calling on the Federal Government to resume negotiations with our province to implement a national pharmacare agreement that improves access to prescription drugs and diabetic supplies for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.

Speaker, on behalf of the Provincial Government, I thank all pharmacy professionals for their dedication and proudly proclaim March as Pharmacy Appreciation Month.