For many rural and remote First Nations communities across British Columbia, accessing medications and pharmacy services can involve significant travel, transportation barriers, treatment delays, and limited access to culturally safe care.
These challenges can create gaps between when medications are prescribed and when they are received—increasing health risks, delaying treatment, and adding strain for individuals, families, and communities.
To help address these barriers, First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) is leading a feasibility study exploring how community-led virtual pharmacy kiosks could improve access to medications and pharmacy care closer to home for rural and remote First Nations communities across BC.
The study will explore how virtual pharmacy kiosks can be integrated into local community health centres and provide on-site access to essential medications while also enabling real-time virtual pharmacist support.
Grounded in community engagement and cultural safety, the study will work alongside participating First Nations communities, leadership, health centre staff, Elders, and knowledge keepers to better understand local priorities, operational realities, infrastructure needs, and long-term sustainability considerations.
Building a Pathway Toward Future Community-Based Pharmacy Care
While the initiative is currently in the feasibility stage, the long-term potential is significant. The study will examine:
- Community readiness and interest
- Technical, clinical, and regulatory feasibility
- Privacy and information governance considerations
- Connectivity and infrastructure requirements
- Operational workflows and sustainability planning
- Culturally appropriate approaches to pharmacy service delivery
The findings will help determine whether this model could move forward into a future pilot project within participating communities.
Over time, this work has the potential to:
- Improve access to medications and pharmacy services closer to home
- Reduce travel burdens and treatment delays
- Support safer and more consistent medication use
- Strengthen continuity of care in rural and remote communities
- Advance health equity for First Nations people across BC
- Inform broader provincial conversations around rural healthcare delivery and pharmacy access
The study will also help equip leadership, partners, and policymakers with evidence and planning tools to support future decision-making for community-based pharmacy care solutions.
The First Nations Health Foundation is proud to support this initiative. We extend our sincere thanks to the Pacific Blue Cross Health Foundation for their $100,000 investment in this important work. This support will help advance the engagement, planning, research, and collaboration needed to explore innovative, culturally safe, and community-informed approaches to pharmacy access for rural and remote First Nations communities across British Columbia.
About First Nations Health Foundation
The First Nations Health Foundation (FNHF) is the first and only foundation of its kind dedicated to supporting First Nations-led health and wellness in British Columbia. As the primary philanthropic partner to the First Nations Health Authority, the FNHF bridges funding and knowledge gaps to advance equitable and culturally safe health and wellness for First Nations people and communities across BC.
Visit fnhfoundation.ca to learn more.
About the Pacific Blue Cross Health Foundation
The Pacific Blue Cross Health Foundation proudly supports not-for-profit organizations in communities big and small—across all four corners of the province—that are striving to improve health and wellbeing for British Columbians. Pacific Blue Cross allocates an annual endowment to our Health Foundation to support programs that are making a difference in communities where we live, work, and play. We fund projects that improve health outcomes directly related to mental health and wellbeing, as well as the prevention and/or management of chronic diseases.
Visit https://www.pac.bluecross.ca/company/community/health-foundation/ to learn more.
Learn More
Please contact Nathania at [email protected] or download the Press Release HERE.