Canada’s pharmacy sector is undergoing a fundamental transformation, driven by technology, shifting patient expectations, and the growing demand for accessible healthcare. TELUS Health’s inaugural Pharmacy Trends Report: The Future of Pharmacy in Canada outlines five major trends shaping the nation’s healthcare landscape in 2025—and highlights the critical role pharmacists are playing in bridging gaps in primary care.
“We’re witnessing a seismic shift in Canadian healthcare delivery,” said Ratcho Batchvarov, Vice-president, Provider Solutions, TELUS Health. “Our first Pharmacy Trends report reveals that pharmacies are rapidly evolving into comprehensive healthcare hubs, bridging critical gaps in primary care access. With the specialty pharmacy market set to surge beyond $20 billion and automation driving a $1.9 billion revolution in central fill services, we’re not just talking about incremental change – this is a fundamental reimagining of community healthcare. Pharmacists have been advancing their role as frontline care providers, leveraging cutting-edge technology to offer more accessible, efficient and personalized care. This transformation is creating a more resilient and responsive healthcare ecosystem for all Canadians.”
Released in conjunction with TELUS Health’s Annual Conference in Toronto on April 29, the report sparked industry-wide discussion among leaders from healthcare, pharmacy, insurance, and benefits sectors. With the automated central fill pharmacy market projected to reach $1.9 billion by 2030 and the specialty pharmacy market expected to exceed $20 billion, the stakes for innovation have never been higher.
Pharmacies Filling Primary Care Gaps
The report reveals that as millions of people in Canada face challenges finding a family doctor, the country’s network of more than 10,000 licensed pharmacies is stepping in to deliver essential medical services—from vaccinations to prescribing medications for minor ailments. Patients are now seeing their pharmacists 1.5 to 10 times more often than their primary care physicians.
Streamlining Pharmacy Operations with Technology
Automation and advanced Pharmacy Management Systems are reducing administrative burdens and medication errors, freeing up pharmacists to focus on patient care. “Over a quarter of community pharmacists in one survey noted their dissatisfaction with the daily volume of prescriptions to be processed,” the report noted, underscoring the pressure pharmacists face and the potential relief offered by centralized prescription fulfillment.
These systems also support better collaboration with other healthcare providers, ensuring Canadians receive consistent, coordinated care across the healthcare continuum.
Meanwhile, the role of pharmacists continues to evolve alongside the rise in specialty drug claims—which have more than tripled over the past 15 years, growing from 10.4 per cent to 32.8 per cent of total pharmacy claims. This shift means pharmacists must now manage more complex medication regimens while guiding patients through increasingly specialized treatments.
Digital Tools Empower Patient Engagement
Digital health tools are also empowering patients to take charge of their healthcare journeys. Modern pharmacy apps enable users to manage prescriptions and track health data securely. These connections allow pharmacists to identify health trends earlier and deliver more personalized care.
“A recent survey found that 82 per cent of people in Canada reported being interested in virtual care appointments, showing yet again how patients are looking for more control of their healthcare journey,” explained Batchvarov. “Embracing this type of patient engagement, while providing a platform that keeps personal medical information confidential with the highest data security protocols, is a key way forward in securing the trust of patients.”
A Future-Focused Vision
The 2025 Pharmacy Trends Report not only highlights how the pharmacy sector is shifting but also offers a clear roadmap for pharmacy managers and healthcare stakeholders to adapt and thrive in a rapidly evolving environment.
As Batchvarov emphasized, this is not just evolution—it’s a transformation. From technology to trust, pharmacies are being reimagined as core pillars of community healthcare in Canada.
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