Pharmacist savours diabetes care role at Nova Scotia clinics

Courtney Veinott wanted her career to be more than just filling prescriptions. After graduating with a bachelor of science in pharmacy in 2023, she jumped at the chance to collaborate directly with patients at provincial diabetes centres. 

She’s among a group of pharmacists who are changing the way diabetes care is delivered in Nova Scotia. Courtney is a certified diabetes educator, which means she’s spent 800 hours performing diabetes care and passed a national exam earlier this year.  She’s also a part-time student working to finish her doctor of pharmacy.

Courtney works at the Cobequid Health Centre in Lower Sackville and also covers a satellite clinic in Dartmouth every other Monday. Her role is part of a growing effort to expand the scope of practice for pharmacists and improve chronic disease management.

“People still think of pharmacists as just standing behind a counter,” she says. “But we’re trained in comprehensive medication management. As long as a patient has a diagnosis and is sitting in front of me, I’m fully equipped to manage their medication regimen.”

The Central Zone Diabetes Centres, which traditionally consisted of nurses and dietitians, added two pharmacists to the team in June 2024. The move reflects a broader shift in healthcare delivery, especially as Nova Scotians face challenges accessing primary care.

“We’ve seen amazing results,” Courtney notes. “Patients are genuinely happy, whether they have a family doctor or nurse practioner. We’ve been able to reorganize their medications, often reducing the number they’re on. We’re not here to push pills - we want their treatment to be precise and effective.”

Originally from the Annapolis Valley, Courtney completed her internship and began her first clinical pharmacist job as an inpatient pharmacist at Soldiers Memorial Hospital in Middleton. She worked at the hospital for over a year. She says her interest in healthcare began in high school, inspired by her father’s frequent hospital visits.

“I started out in medical science at Dalhousie and a few friends said, ‘Did you know you can apply to pharmacy?’ I had no idea,” she says. “Once I got in, I fell in love with it. It’s such a great mix of patient care and science, and I’ve always loved chemistry.”

Courtney says her greatest satisfaction comes from helping patients reach their A1C goals, which is a key marker of blood sugar control.

“I’ve had patients come in with A1C levels in the teens and we’ve brought them down into the sixes,” she explains. “The joy on their faces when they’re feeling better is amazing. That’s what makes my day.”

She also emphasizes the importance of addressing misinformation, which she said is one of the biggest challenges in her work.

“Patients have so much access to online information, which is great, but not all of it is accurate,” she said. “Sometimes I have to help them sort through what they’ve read and make sure they’re getting reliable resources.”

The Diabetes Centres serve adults with diabetes, offering support from diagnosis through long-term management. They focus on the three pillars of diabetes treatment: nutrition, physical activity and medication. Diabetes Centres are part of primary health care and chronic disease management at Nova Scotia Health.

“The expanded lens of diabetes care is more than just blood sugar management,” she points out, “but also monitoring blood pressure and cholesterol.”

“We’re here for education, management and helping patients navigate the health-care system. We offer 45-minute appointments, phone calls, and even Zoom meetings. We want patients to feel supported.”

As pharmacists continue to take on expanded roles in chronic disease care, Courtney says she’s proud to be part of the change.

“We’re still so new in this space and I think a lot of people don’t realize the role we play,” she adds, “but we’re here and we’re doing a lot of good work.”

To learn more about accessing a diabetes centre, go to: Diabetes | Nova Scotia Health.

November is Diabetes Awareness Month. Diabetes educator day was Nov. 1.

Photo of Courtney Veinott, pictured in front of a diabetes education mural.