Opportunities - Mobilizing Primary Care Access in Northern Alberta: A Novel Mobile Pharmacy Unit (MPU) Model
Mobilizing Primary Care Access in Northern Alberta: A Novel Mobile Pharmacy Unit (MPU) Model
University of Alberta
Mobile Pharmacy Idea
Right now, if you live in a small town or rural area, getting pharmacy services is hard. You might have to drive hours to fill a prescription or talk to a pharmacist. That's not fair and it can be dangerous. The Mobile Pharmacy Unit is a specially built vehicle (like a pharmacy on wheels). A pharmacist drives it directly to your community. Instead of you going to the pharmacy, the pharmacy comes to you.
The Mobile Pharmacy Unit would visit rural Alberta communities on a regular schedule checking in on medications, running health tests, giving shots (like flu vaccines), and working closely with local pharmacists, doctors, and nurse practitioners.
Also, the Mobile Pharmacy Unit would be able to help communities that are evacuating because of wildfires. Bringing the medications that people need with them.
Working Together with Communities
We aren’t doing this alone. To make sure the mobile pharmacy provides the right kind of help, we are partnering directly with the local communities and their healthcare providers. By listening to the people who live in these areas, we can make sure our services fit their specific needs and schedules.
One Van, Two Important Jobs
Our mobile pharmacy is the first in the world designed to do two things at once:
Daily Care: It will visit small towns and remote areas to help with everyday health needs. This saves people from having to drive hours to see a pharmacist.
Emergency Help: If a disaster hits—like a major wildfire—the unit can be rushed to the front lines. It will provide emergency medicine and support to families and firefighters when they need it most.
Why This Matters
Alberta is a massive province with many rural and remote communities. By creating this dual purpose mobile pharmacy and working hand-in-hand with local towns and pharmacists, we are making healthcare fairer for everyone.
Patient Research Partners
We are looking for patient partners that live in Northern Alberta that use pharmacy services to join this project.
-Engagement will be virtual.
-Roles will include joining the research team, attending meetings, providing lived experience insights, co-facilitating engagement with people and communities.
Time Commitment
-We are looking for a 1-2 year commitment.
-Meetings are every 4-6 weeks virtually for 60-minutes
-There may be additional team tasks on a flexible and collaborative basis.
Compensation
This is an online opportunity so there are no travel related expenses.
Compensation is being offered at $400/year.
For more information or to apply
Email Kaitlyn.Watson@ualberta.ca
Phone/Text (780) 492 5098
