Every November, Crohn’s and Colitis Awareness Month shines a light on inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), chronic conditions such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, that affect thousands of Canadians.
Managing IBD requires more than medical treatment; it demands a multidisciplinary approach and ongoing support.
For people living with these conditions, pharmacists often represent a trusted, accessible point of care, as they are professionals who help them understand their treatments, manage side effects, and navigate the day-to-day challenges of therapy.
In this article, I explore how pharmacists play a vital role as allies for individuals with IBD, highlighting common questions at the pharmacy counter that showcase both their clinical expertise and their human touch.
Understanding, Supporting, and Building Trust
“Where can I learn more about my condition?”
Patients newly diagnosed with IBD often want to better understand what they’re facing. After a short conversation, pharmacists can provide Vigilance Santé’s educational leaflets on Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. Available in RxVigilance, they summarize essential information in clear, patient-friendly language.
To go further, Crohn’s and Colitis Canada offers a wealth of reliable, accessible resources for patients and their families. By guiding individuals toward validated sources, pharmacists help strengthen trust in treatment and promote informed self-management.
Helping Patients Decode Their Treatment
“My doctor prescribed several medications… how do I keep track?”
IBD treatment can involve a combination of drug classes: biologics, immunosuppressants, corticosteroids, 5-ASA, and supplements such as iron or calcium.
Pharmacists play a key role in helping patients understand what each medication does, clarify therapeutic goals, and encourage adherence. The RxVigilance patient information sheets are valuable tools for explaining medications clearly, while Crohn’s and Colitis Canada’s section on drug classes provides an excellent complement to patient discussions.
Supporting Adherence and Proper Use
“How should I take my medication?”
“I have a tapering prednisone prescription… how can I follow it correctly?”
Complex regimens can be confusing. Pharmacists can turn to RxVigilance product monographs to confirm dosage, administration instructions, and special recommendations.
For treatments such as prednisone tapers, the Prednisone Tapering Schedule tool in RxVigilance makes life easier: in just a few clicks, pharmacists can generate and print a personalized schedule to help patients follow their plan confidently and avoid errors.
Preventing Side Effects and Drug Interactions
“What are the side effects of my medication?”
“Could it interact with my other treatments?”
These are among the most frequent questions at the counter, and for good reason.
Many IBD medications have immunosuppressive effects, which increase infection risks. Pharmacists play a vital role in discussing these risks clearly and reviewing the precautions to follow.
Certain drugs such as upadacitinib, tofacitinib, or ozanimod also pose significant interaction risks. Pharmacists should remind patients to consult a healthcare professional before taking any over-the-counter products, supplements, or natural remedies.
Ensuring Ongoing Monitoring and Clinical Follow-Up
“Do I need regular follow-ups during treatment?”
Thanks to their expanded scope of practice, pharmacists can now prescribe and monitor several lab tests related to IBD treatments such as complete blood counts and electrolytes.
The Monitoring section of RxVigilance monographs offers clear guidance on which tests are recommended and how often to perform them. This proactive approach helps detect adverse effects early, adjust therapy as needed, and maintain continuity of care.
Providing Guidance Around Pregnancy
“Can I get pregnant safely while on treatment?”
This is a common and sensitive concern among people living with IBD.
RxVigilance monographs summarize the pregnancy and breastfeeding safety profiles of each medication, allowing pharmacists to discuss the subject with nuance and reassurance, thus helping patients make informed, confident decisions.
Supporting the Transition to Biosimilars
“My medication is no longer covered, and I need to switch to a biosimilar… is it the same?”
Coverage changes can raise concerns among patients on biologic therapies.
Here, pharmacists are instrumental in explaining what biosimilars are, emphasizing their safety, efficacy, and rigorous approval standards. Health Canada’s patient-friendly biosimilar information sheet is a great resource to share.
Beyond explanation, pharmacists can provide close follow-up during the transition to ensure treatment effectiveness and maintain patient confidence.
Offering Advice Before Travel or Routine Changes
“Can I get all my vaccines before I travel?”
“Are there precautions I should take abroad?”
For patients on immunosuppressive therapy, live vaccines should generally be avoided, while inactivated vaccines may offer partial protection.
Pharmacists can review immunization schedules, adapt recommendations, and refer patients to specialized travel clinics when needed. The Crohn’s and Colitis Canada website also offers useful travel tips on preventing dehydration, traveler’s diarrhea, and managing emergencies abroad — helping patients travel safely and with peace of mind.
A Professional Role That Truly Makes a Difference
Chronic conditions like IBD remind us how pharmacists’ contributions go far beyond dispensing medications.
With their clinical expertise, patient-centered approach, and tools like RxVigilance, pharmacists play a key role in:
- improving understanding and adherence,
- preventing adverse effects and drug interactions, and
- ensuring consistent, high-quality therapeutic follow-up.
Every question asked at the pharmacy counter is an opportunity for meaningful clinical intervention, and often, it’s in these everyday moments that the pharmacist’s impact truly shines.
