Wednesday, September 25, 2024

In celebration of World Pharmacist Day, Pfizer connected with PharmaGuide’s CEO Walid Mowaswes and COO Faddy Morgan, whose Richmond Hill, Ontario-based startup uses artificial intelligence to streamline drug coverage processes.

Both Mowaswes and Morgan, pharmacists themselves, were among the first winners of Pfizer Canada’s Healthcare Hub, a collaboration with Communitech that brings together the best and brightest of Canada’s tech industry to champion better patient care.

Q1: From your experience, how have you seen the role of pharmacists evolve in Canada over the past five years?

A: Over the past five years, pharmacists in Canada have seen their roles expand significantly, becoming essential players in the healthcare system. With 95% of Canadians living within five kilometers of a pharmacy, we’re often the first point of contact for patients, especially as more people find themselves without a family doctor.

With patients now visiting their pharmacist twice as often as their general physician, we are frontline healthcare providers. We’re actively involved in decision-making and ensuring patients receive timely, cost-effective care. This shift reflects a broader trend toward proactive care, where pharmacists help identify gaps in treatment early, optimizing therapy and contributing to improving overall health outcomes​​.

Q2: What are some of the biggest challenges Canadian pharmacists are facing today?

A: Research shows physicians spend up to 18.5 million hours on administrative tasks each year – about 55 million patient visits’ worth.

This overload impacts our healthcare system, causing fragmentation and complicating collaboration between healthcare providers like pharmacists and physicians. Now that the role of pharmacists has expanded, there’s more on our plates – from managing medical conditions to navigating patients’ financial constraints.

By leveraging innovative digital tools and solutions, we can better support pharmacists and physicians in their mission to deliver proactive, patient-centered care​​​.

Q3: Tell us more about the inspiration behind PharmaGuide. What motivates you, as pharmacists, to bring this solution to life?

A: As Canadian healthcare providers, our belief in the strength of our healthcare system runs deep – it’s personal for us. We’re not just pharmacists; we’re also patients, family members, and friends who have experienced the challenges firsthand. What truly motivates us is knowing how excellent Canada’s healthcare system can be, and the opportunity we have to help empower it.

As pharmacists, we’ve experienced firsthand how much time is consumed by administrative tasks – time that could be better spent on patient care. We dedicated years to mastering clinical expertise, only to find ourselves overwhelmed by paperwork. This is what led us to create PharmaGuide. Our goal is simple: to design solutions that help healthcare providers focus on what truly matters – delivering quality care to patients – by streamlining repetitive, time-consuming tasks.

PharmaVision AI, our patient portal supported by Pfizer’s Healthcare Hub, simplifies one of the most frustrating aspects of healthcare: navigating insurance coverage and medication costs. Patients, Pharmacists and Physicians alike will be able to use the portal to determine if a medication is covered and if special authorization is required. If prior authorization is needed, the system will streamline the paperwork.

This goal of the technology is to drastically reduce the back-and-forth between prescribers, pharmacists and patients, saving time and allowing healthcare providers to focus on patient care. The goal is to  providetools that reduce administrative burdens, increase efficiency, and ensure regulatory compliance.

Q4: What benefits does this type of digital solution bring to pharmacists? What about everyday Canadians?

A: We know the benefits of our digital health solution aren’t mutually exclusive. At the core of our approach are what we call he three “P”s: Patients, Physicians, and Pharmacists. By streamlining workflows for pharmacists, we free up valuable time that they can devote to patient care. But the impact doesn’t stop there.

When pharmacists are more efficient, physicians benefit too. They spend less time on administrative tasks and can focus more on their patients.

And for Canadians, this means a smoother, more personalized healthcare experience. Patients can receive more timely care, while providers make decisions tailored to their specific coverage and needs. If a medication is unavailable or not covered, the system will suggest alternatives, ensuring that patients can access the therapies they need.

We understand that cost often adds additional stress for patients, and having solutions that addressboth affordability and access is crucial.

Q5: Being one of the first Pfizer Healthcare Hub winners, what’s next for PharmaGuide, and how is your partnership with Pfizer helping make that happen?

A: Being one of the first Pfizer Healthcare Hub winners has been a game-changer for PharmaGuide. Thanks to Pfizer Canada’s support, we’ve been able to accelerate our development and prepare for a nationwide rollout of PharmaVision AI in the coming months. Pfizer’s backing has enabled us to stay ahead of schedule with key deployments, and we’re excited to bring our solutions to more healthcare providers across the country.

Our ultimate goal is to help Canadians live longer, healthier lives by empowering healthcare providers with tools that simplify administrative tasks and improve access to care. Pfizer’s partnership has been critical in bringing this vision to life, and we’re eager to see the impact it will have on the healthcare system and the quality of life for Canadians nationwide.