January 9, 2025
Trent Tschirgi
Pharmacist and Pharmacy Manager at Munro's Sorrento Prescriptions
Trent has worked in Pharmacy in a wide variety of practices for over 40 years, although he has recently cut back to full-time. He has lived in Blind Bay with wife Anne and two cats since 2015.
Trent’s presentation gave us a wealth of valuable information, presented with a humorous touch. The four main topics he covered were:
What to do in BC if you need medical attention NOW
What can Pharmacists prescribe?
What Vaccines do I need?
Why are there so many drug shortages?
If you need medical attention NOW, it’s important to triage your problem to determine if someone needs to see you to help. If you can’t breathe, have a broken bone, severe bleeding, stroke, etc. – call 9-1-1 to get an ambulance to take you to the hospital. If it’s not that critical, your pharmacist may be able to help.
Pharmacists CAN:
Provide medications in emergencies (inhalers, EpiPen, etc.)
Provide CPR and First Responder Care
Provide Naloxone kits and give naloxone
Provide COVID test kits
Sign you up for a tele-doc appointment (free for BC residents)
Help you find solutions, such as calling 8-1-1 Nursing Line or direct you to a walk-in clinic
Extend refills on your medications, swap to a new drug within a class, prescribe for minor ailments (ask your pharmacist for the list of what they can prescribe), miscellaneous injections (limited)
Write lab orders (new)
Pharmacists are able to help you with most non-urgent problems.
Vaccines – Seasonal and Year-round
Trent gave us a very comprehensive overview of the common vaccines most of us need and told us which ones are not covered by BC Health.
Year-round: Flu and COVID; pharmacy can only post openings when they receive the vaccines, but they’re often available at end of day (call after 3:00 to see if they can squeeze you in). Appointments need to be booked, but sometimes space becomes available after 3 pm due to cancellations.
Who needs Flu/COVID? Elderly, those with respiratory diseases (asthma, COPD, smokers), anyone with severe medical problems. Who shouldn’t get these? Had COVID within last 6 months, had a severe reaction to previous shot.
New – Arexvy for RSV. Costs nearly $300; Shingrix for shingles (each of 2 shots $180); Twinrix for Hepatitis A&B (usually for travelling; each shot about $90 – up to 4); pneumonia (BC pays for Pneumovax but not Prevnar-20; cost about $150); tetanus & diphtheria – booster recommended every 10 years.
Why so many drug shortages? Trent explained how many drugs or ingredients come from other countries (cheaper). But changes in the way drugs are procured can happen unexpectedly For example, there were hiccups in the shipping industry due to COVID and high demand, which caused manufacturers to be unable to get raw materials needed. Instability in the global supply chain can cause shortages. In future, we may need to look at manufacturing more of our drugs in Canada.