People with migraine often face long wait times for specialist care in Canada, and it can be a long – and painful – wait. Pharmacists have an opportunity to help address unmet needs for migraine care since they often have frequent interactions with patients, and they are available in most communities across the country. Recognizing the opportunity for pharmacists to be more involved in migraine patient care, Heba Hani, also known as “The Migraine Pharmacist,” undertook specialized training to deepen her knowledge of headache disorders to better care for this under-served patient population.
Migraine is one of the most common neurological disorders in Canada with an estimated prevalence of 10%, which represents 4 million Canadians.1 Access to specialist migraine care is limited in Canada, with long wait times for neurology consults in many provinces.2 Compounding this issue is the growing number of Canadians without a family doctor, the traditional “gate keepers” for specialist referrals.3 Indeed, a recent report suggests that more than 6 million Canadians do not have regular access to a family doctor.3 Given their frequent interactions with patients and the wide distribution of pharmacies across most communities in Canada, Ms. Hani recognized an opportunity for pharmacists to play an expanded role in migraine patient care and education.
One in six Canadians does not have regular access to a primary care provider3
There is increasing recognition of the expanded role pharmacists can play in multiple aspects of migraine care.4 They can be key providers of evidence-based and accurate information about headache prevention and treatment, and they can support other healthcare providers in educating patients about their headache disorder and its management. Moreover, trained pharmacists can be critical in preventive screening and monitoring of medication adherence, identify patients who are at risk of medication overuse and may be candidates for preventive migraine treatment, and counsel patients on the correct and safe use of headache treatments.4
Pharmacists can play an active role in the multidisciplinary care of migraine patients
Migraine and headache disorders are complex, and patient needs are heterogeneous. In an effort to add value to her clientele by expanding her own knowledge and experience, Ms. Hani became the first Canadian – and the first pharmacist – to obtain a specialized master’s degree in headache disorders from the University of Copenhagen.
Today, The Migraine Pharmacist has a pharmacy practice focused on migraine and headache disorders. She offers virtual clinical care for migraine patients with individualized care plans backed by the latest science and guidelines.
With over 20 years of experience as a clinical pharmacist and in the pharmaceutical industry, Ms. Hani recognizes the value of earning patients’ trust through listening and understanding their unique needs, and providing care in the communities where they live. Her enthusiasm for her work is fueled by her patients’ testimonials, demonstrating how first-line pharmacists can make a real impact on migraine patients’ lives.
Pharmacists can provide access to first-line migraine care in the communities where patients live
Ms. Hani is also actively engaged in various migraine training programs, and she volunteers with several national and international migraine patient support organizations. Learn more about The Migraine Pharmacist on her website: www.themigrainepharmacist.com.
Our correspondent’s highlights from the symposium are meant as a fair representation of the scientific content presented. The views and opinions expressed on this page do not necessarily reflect those of Lundbeck.
