Specialty pharma claims triple as pharmacists fill gaps in primary care, TELUS Health report finds
Canada’s pharmacy sector is undergoing a structural shift as the specialty pharmacy market is projected to exceed $20bn and central fill automation reaches a $1.9bn forecast by 2030, according to TELUS Health’s Pharmacy Trends Report.
As per the report, technological automation is transforming pharmacies into key primary care access points, as pharmacists take on expanded roles beyond traditional dispensing.
“We’re witnessing a seismic shift in Canadian healthcare delivery,” said Ratcho Batchvarov, Vice-president of Provider Solutions at TELUS Health.
He said the company’s first Pharmacy Trends report shows that pharmacies are becoming more central to healthcare by filling gaps in primary care.
He also noted that the specialty pharmacy market is expected to surpass $20bn, while automation is projected to transform central fill services by $1.9bn.
According to the report, the role of pharmacists is expanding as patients increasingly rely on them due to difficulty accessing family doctors.
More than 10,000 licensed pharmacies across Canada now provide core health services including vaccinations and prescribing medications for minor ailments.
Patients visit pharmacists between 1.5 and 10 times more than their primary care physician, as reported in the findings.
As per TELUS Health, this evolution is supported by technology-enabled solutions that reduce administrative burdens and allow pharmacists to focus on patient-centred care.
Centralized prescription fulfilment lowers error rates and increases efficiency.
Still, over a quarter of community pharmacists in one survey expressed dissatisfaction with the high volume of prescriptions they must process daily.
The report also noted that specialty drug claims have tripled over 15 years, increasing from 10.4 percent to 32.8 percent of total pharmacy claims.
This shift requires pharmacists to manage more complex medication therapies while ensuring patients receive proper guidance.
Advanced Pharmacy Management Systems now support collaboration between pharmacists and other healthcare providers to deliver coordinated care across touchpoints.
As patients look to take more control of their health, digital engagement tools are playing a larger role.
According to the report, modern pharmacy apps help patients manage prescriptions and track health data securely. This allows pharmacists to detect trends early and personalise care.
“A recent survey found that 82 percent of people in Canada reported being interested in virtual care appointments,” said Batchvarov.
He added that patients want more control over their healthcare and that building trust requires secure platforms that protect personal medical information.
The Pharmacy Trends Report was also a focal point at TELUS Health’s Annual Conference on April 29, 2025, in Toronto.
The event gathered leaders from healthcare, pharmacy, insurance and benefits sectors to discuss a connected care model linking pharmacy, physicians and public health.
The conference reaffirmed the company’s emphasis on data-informed and technology-driven healthcare strategies.
