Title: Reflection on Collaborative Healthcare Practice

One event during my recent pharmacy placement stands out as a vivid illustration of the intricate dance of
collaboration within the healthcare system. It involved a prescription written by a family physician for a medication
called Nurtec (generic name: Rimegepant) to treat a patient's migraines. However, what initially appeared to be a
routine prescription-checking process eventually unfolded into a complex and enlightening collaborative healthcare
practice.

The Scenario: The scenario began when the family physician issued a prescription for Nurtec to alleviate a patient's
recurring migraines. However, Nurtec was not available in Canada, rendering it inaccessible for the intended
purpose. This presented a serious barrier to the patient receiving timely and appropriate treatment for their
migraines.

Rationale for Medication Switch: This unexpected revelation necessitated a careful and informed response. The
family physician had prescribed a medication that, while potentially effective, was not accessible in the Canadian
healthcare system for the intended purpose. This presented a serious barrier to the patient receiving timely and
appropriate treatment for their migraines. As a pharmacist, my primary concern was the well-being of the patient.
In this context, it was evident that a medication switch was not only warranted but imperative. The rationale for
this switch stemmed from several critical considerations:

Patient Care and Safety: The patient's health and safety were paramount. Migraines can be debilitating, and timely
access to effective treatment is crucial. The unavailability of Nurtec in Canada threatened to delay relief for the
patient, potentially worsening their symptoms and overall quality of life.

Regulatory Compliance: Healthcare professionals are bound by regulatory guidelines and standards. In this case,
Nurtec had not received approval from Health Canada for the treatment of migraines. Prescribing a medication
without regulatory approval would have placed both the physician and the patient at risk, not to mention the
potential legal implications.

Efficacy and Availability: An extensive review of available resources and literature confirmed that there were
alternative medications within the same class of calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor antagonists (CGRP-RA)
that were both approved by Health Canada for migraine treatment and accessible in Canada. The most suitable
alternative identified was Ubrelvy (Ubrogepant).

Patient-Centered Care: Central to this decision was the principle of patient-centered care. The switch to Ubrelvy
was undertaken with the patient's best interests in mind, ensuring they had access to an effective medication that
was both approved and available.

Collaborative Approach: The decision to switch medications was the result of a collaborative effort involving the
pharmacy team, the family physician, and me as the pharmacist. This collaborative approach ensured that the
switch was well-informed, and all parties were on the same page regarding the new prescription, including the
recommended dosage and administration.

In conclusion, the decision to switch from Nurtec to Ubrelvy was rooted in a commitment to patient care,
regulatory compliance, the efficacy and availability of alternative treatments, and a collaborative approach
involving healthcare professionals. This scenario highlighted the complexity of medication-related challenges in
healthcare and reinforced the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and patient-centered care in finding
effective solutions.