About
Le Regroupement des pharmacies de médicaments de spécialité du Québec (RPMSQ)
Ongoing scientific advances have led to many breakthroughs in specialty medicines over the last few years. While incredibly promising, these new treatments can be complex to manage.
This is how specialty mediation pharmacies came to be: to address the need for a new pharmacy model adapted to the specific circumstances of patients requiring a specialty drug and to address the challenges associated with managing these complex medicines.
From hospital to neighbourhood pharmacies, be they traditional or specialty medicine pharmacies, to pharmacies located in medical clinics: each type of pharmacy serves different needs and purposes. The key is to enable patients to choose the pharmacy best suited to their unique circumstances and to ensure they can access the full spectrum of services they require.
A unique
expertise
Specialty medication pharmacies
Specialty medication pharmacies exclusively serve patients who have been prescribed a specialty medication to treat medical conditions such as cancer or a rare disease. Their dedicated practice, focused on patients requiring complex treatments, enables their teams to acquire an in-depth understanding of their patients' conditions, their specialty medicines and their unique needs.
Specialty medication pharmacies offer personalized services, at no additional cost. This includes in-depth patient intakes, education on their health condition and detailed explanations and support on how to optimize the benefits of their medication, proactive clinical care (validating lab tests and coordinating care with other health care professionals) and logistical support (appointment reminders), insurance navigation to help optimize their coverage and limit out-of-pocket costs, among other services.
An association with a patient focus
Specialty pharmacies have been around for over 20 years but are still little known.
The Regroupement des pharmacies de médicaments de spécialité du Québec (the RPMSQ) was created to build visibility for its members’ specialty medication pharmacy practice, to promote best practices and to collaborate with various health care stakeholders in order to support patients who were prescribed a specialty medicine. RPMSQ members follow a code of conduct that reflects their commitment to patients’ best interests. Under the code, pharmacists are required to ensure that all patients served by their pharmacy agree to receive professional services and are aware of all their options so that they can make an informed decision. Pharmacists also commit to participate in patient support programs that comply with the laws and regulations in effect in Quebec, particularly when it comes to patients’ freedom of choice.
Like many other similar organizations across North America, the RPMSQ strives to be an active partner in promoting pharmacy practices that meet the needs of patients who rely on specialty drugs.
Executive Director
Brigitte Viel has racked up over 20 years of health care experience. She has worked closely with patient organizations, health care professionals and other industry partners to advocate for patients’ rights and interests. She now serves as the RPMSQ’s Executive Director.
Brigitte’s career started in communications, where she cut her teeth at public relations agencies NATIONAL and Cohn & Wolfe. During both stints, her primary role was to support patient organizations, pharmaceutical companies and other life science clients with their strategic positioning, awareness efforts and other communications initiatives. In 2011, she joined Shire as Head of Communications and Community Relations, before moving on to Pfizer in 2017, where she served as the Canadian Patient Engagement Lead.
Brigitte firmly believes that patients’ needs and perspectives should take centre stage in all decisions that affect patients, and that health literacy is key to making informed health care and well-being decisions.
She holds a Bachelor of Science from Concordia University and a specialized graduate diploma (DESS) from HEC Montréal.