When you visit any pharmacy in BC, you are entitled to experience a level of care that is professional, respectful, and ethical. This includes:

• Ensuring you receive culturally safe and inclusive care.
• Ensuring your medication is right for you.
• Ensuring your pharmacist will take the time to check your health records and ensure your medications are safe, appropriate, and clearly labelled.
• Ensuring your privacy is respected.
• Ensuring your health records are correct and protected.

About The Artist: Bayja Morgan Banke

Bayja, an artist from the Toquaht (Nuu-Chah-Nulth) and Secwépemc(Shuswap) nations, grew up in Tofino in a family where creativity was a way of life. Her grandmother painted and sang, while her father and grandfather were skilled carvers.

With an educational background in film and animation, Bayja now works as an illustrator at Indigenous Marketing Solutions. She's passionate about preserving indigenous languages and tells stories through her art, blending traditional techniques with animated styles. Each piece she creates honors her cultural heritage and connects the past with the present.

Bayja's art is both heartfelt and hopeful, celebrating indigenous traditions while imagining a future where these stories continue to thrive.

Each icon holds a deep meaning, reflecting on the core values and expectations of pharmacy care:

	Culturally Safe and Inclusive Care The depiction of hands encircling the sun symbolizes embracing diversity and the warmth of inclusive care. It represents our dedication to creating an environment where everyone feels respected and valued, regardless of their cultural background.
	Verification of the safety and suitability of medication The image of the tranquil loon, a symbol of peace, embodies the calm and reassurance you experience when assured that your medication is suitable and clearly explained. It reflects a commitment to providing medication that instills confidence and peace of mind.
	Effective and Clear Communication The image of a wolf howling at the moon signifies the importance of clear and open communication. Just as the wolf's howl is distinct and understood, so should the conversation between you and your pharmacist about your medication.
	Respect for Privacy The hand with an eye, resembling a stop sign, is a powerful emblem of privacy and personal space. It conveys your right to discretion, to proceed at your own pace, and to assert your boundaries comfortably.
	Accuracy and Protection of Health records The sea urchin, with its protective spines, represent the vigilant protection of your health records, ensuring they are correct, secure, and treated with the utmost care.

Our Responsibility

We are the College of Pharmacists of British Columbia (CPBC), and we regulate pharmacies and pharmacy professionals in the public interest. As a health profession regulator, our role is to protect the public by licensing and regulating pharmacists and pharmacy technicians and the pharmacies where they provide care. We are legally obligated and empowered to set and enforce standards for the delivery of pharmacy care in BC.

We ensure that the pharmacists and pharmacy technicians who work in every pharmacy across the province are fully qualified to provide this care safely, effectively and ethically, and that the pharmacies in which they practice are owned, operated and managed in alignment with the Pharmacy Operations and Drug Scheduling Act, the Health Professions Act, and the standards set by CPBC.

Your Role in This Commitment

Your feedback and experiences are highly valued, and we encourage you to share your thoughts and experiences with us.

Please feel free to reach out to us via the following emails for any specific inquiries or concerns you may have:

• General feedback - [email protected]
• Complaints & Concerns - [email protected]

Resources for Pharmacists

The “What You Can Expect from Your Pharmacy Visit” poster is available for download in a variety of languages, including:

• Arabic
• Chinese (Simplified and Traditional)
• English
• Farsi (Persian)
• French
• Korean
• Punjabi
• Spanish
• Tagalog
• Vietnamese

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is cultural safety emphasized on this poster?

BC is a diverse province, and pharmacies are committed to providing care that is respectful and inclusive of everyone's cultural background

How can I be sure my pharmacist will explain my medications to me clearly?

Pharmacists have a professional responsibility to ensure you understand your medication and open communication with your pharmacist is key to your healthcare. If you have any questions or concerns about your medication, please discuss them with your pharmacist to ensure you are well-informed.

What should I do if I feel my privacy has been violated at a pharmacy?

You can voice your concerns to the pharmacy staff or the manager. If the issue is not resolved, please contact the College of Pharmacists of BC.

What does 2S/LGBTQINA+ mean?

2S/LGBTQINA+ is an acronym for Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and/or Questioning, Intersex, Non-sexual, Asexual, and additional identities. It is an inclusive term used to acknowledge and respect the diversity of sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions. The plus sign (+) signifies the inclusion of individuals who identify with other sexual orientations or gender identities not explicitly listed in the acronym.

What is the purpose of this poster in pharmacies? What does this poster mean for me as a client?

This poster serves as a friendly reminder of the high standards of care you can expect from your pharmacy team. These standards, set by the College of Pharmacists of BC, cover everything from ensuring your medications are safe and appropriate, to respecting your privacy and cultural background. By outlining these standards, we hope to empower you to actively participate in your healthcare and feel confident in the care you receive.

I was recently at a pharmacy, and I did not feel that I’ve received the kind of unbiased care described in the poster. What should I do?

If you feel the standard of care is not met during your pharmacy visit, we encourage you to contact the College of Pharmacists of British Columbia to share your experience.

What should I do if I see someone or know someone who is being discriminated against in a pharmacy?

If you witness or are made aware of someone experiencing discrimination in a pharmacy, you are encouraged to support them in reporting their experience to the pharmacy team or manager. If the issue is not adequately addressed, you or the impacted individual are encouraged to file a complaint with CPBC.

How do I contact the College about a concern?

If you have a concern about the care you received from a pharmacist or pharmacy technician, the best place to start is to speak directly with that person about your concern. Simple miscommunications are often at the root of many concerns, and although it may be difficult, a face-to-face discussion is often the best way to resolve an issue.

If you are unable to resolve the concern with the pharmacist or pharmacy technician, please let the College know.

The College takes all concerns seriously. We review each to determine the best approach to resolve the issue. Please visit this page for more information.

For Pharmacy Managers: Can I customize this poster, including changing the colors and adding my logo?

No, the poster cannot be customized. Professional Practice Policy-77 (PPP-77) requires that the poster be displayed exactly as it appears in the policy. Any modifications, including color changes or the addition of corporate branding would not comply with the provisions outlined in PPP-77 or section 23.4 of the Pharmacy Operations and Drug Scheduling Act (PODSA) Bylaws.