Pharmacist peer-to-peer program

The Pharmacist Peer-to-Peer Program provides a unique opportunity for pharmacists to become involved during the early stages of e-health technology development, and to provide feedback regarding the impact of this technology on their individual practice.

Funded by Canada Health Infoway, the Pharmacist Peer-to-Peer Program is designed to prepare Ontario pharmacists to adopt and integrate provincial information and information technology into their clinical practice. Under this program, pharmacists who are experts in e-health will be trained as peer leaders. In turn, they will share their knowledge and expertise with other Ontario pharmacists through OPA-designed education programs.

Peer leader biographies

Antony Gagnon
A member of the Hamilton Family Health Team, Antony Gagnon divides his time between his role as Manager of Pharmacy Programs and his role as a clinician pharmacist with family physicians in their office. The Hamilton FHT utilizes Electronic Medical Records in the majority of their offices and Antony has developed tools for these systems. He has also served on several committees including The Canadian Institute for Health Information-Electronic Health Record Standards Advisory Committee.

Barry St Pierre
The Associate/Owner of a Shoppers Drug Mart in Toronto, Barry St Pierre previously worked as the Director, Pharmacy Systems and Technology with Shoppers Drug Mart where he was responsible for the development of the Healthwatch Next Generation pharmacy system. Barry also had the opportunity to practice in a community pharmacy setting in British Columbia during the initial rollout of the BC PharmaNet system.

Linda Sparrow
Linda Sparrow is Coordinator Professional Practice for Dell Pharmacies, Hamilton. She was involved in the development of a Personal Health Record for the clients of Dell Pharmacy. This unique system is accessible via a secured Internet portal, allowing clients to access their medication record and maintain personal health information such as blood pressure readings, blood glucose readings, cholesterol levels, and vaccination record. Linda is Past President of OPA (1988/89) and has had a great deal of committee involvement.

Glenn Thompson
Glenn Thompson is the Owner of Watsons Pharmacy in Stayner, ON, where he has an ongoing role as Pharmacist Champion in the eHealth Ontario Electronic Prescribing Project in conjunction with the Georgian Bay Family Health Team.