Michael Kani is a pharmacist and owner of Michael’s Remedy’sRx in Saskatoon.
Where They're Working
Michael spent the first two years of his life after pharmacy school working in a big box chain pharmacy. That was long enough for him to realize that he wanted something different.
“Coming out of pharmacy school, I had a lot of zeal and this notion of conquering the pharmacy world with the skills I gained at Waterloo Pharmacy. I quickly realized daily practice was different and I didn’t want to settle for not being able to practice to my full abilities.”
Michael had relocated to Saskatoon when his wife was admitted to the College of Dentistry at the University of Saskatchewan. There, he began to dream about what his own pharmacy could look like.
“I was inspired by the pharmacist-patient relationship I enjoyed while working in small towns across Saskatchewan. I wondered why this couldn’t be fostered in a big city.”
Saskatoon is Saskatchewan’s most populous city, so when Michael found an available space and opened up Michael’s Remedy’sRx, he saw it as an opportunity to create a big city pharmacy with a small town feel.
“We focus on improving the lifestyle of our patients so that they can be on fewer medications overall. It may not sound like an intuitive business model, but it works.”
Reflections
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the
Program
"The education from Waterloo Pharmacy is next to none. I treat it like a bragging right. The impact is the level of competence I felt right out of school and teh ability to adapt to all sorts of work environments and patient encounters."
To achieve that, Michael’s Remedy’sRx has embraced the clinical aspects of pharmacy practice. They run pharmacogenomics consults, minor ailments prescribing, Point-of-Care testing, and more.
“The traditional business model of pharmacies relying on dispensing fees is no longer viable,” explains Michael. “We have to think of innovative ways to work with patients and to promote the role of pharmacists as the profession continues to expand.”
They continue to do at Michael’s pharmacy. For example, the team is adding pet prescription meds, a service typically provided only by veterinarians, to further offer value to a patient’s whole family.
Medical cannabis consulting is also a unique area the pharmacy specializes in. Michael has been a leader in this topic, and he’s spoken at many events on the subject.
“When I opened Michael’s Remedy’sRx, I realized that no health professionals were talking to patients about medical cannabis or providing unbiased information. There was a huge need, so I decided to set up a consultation and referral services,” he explains. “It was an instant hit because for the first time patients could consult with a trained drug expert about a therapy they have lots of questions about.”
Alumni Answers
UW: As Canada’s legal landscape towards marijuana changes, do you still face stigma in the use of medical marijuana to treat chronic pain or are perceptions changing?
MK: While some stigma still exists, the change in perception is far greater. About 75% of the patients I consult with are seniors who’ve never used cannabis. These were the generations that were indoctrinated with the notion of ‘reefer madness,’ but today they’ve tried several medications for their ailments that haven’t worked. Through the ubiquity of cannabis, they’re having conversations with friends who’ve used it and are seeing results. While medical cannabis doesn’t work for everyone, they’re asking health care providers about it now. The perception is certainly changing and mounting evidence is shifting the conversation.
UW: What’s the most rewarding part of owning and running your own pharmacy?
MK: I’d certainly say the professional satisfaction. I wake up looking forward to coming to work every day because I can directly discern the impact I’m having on patients. Most of my patients would revolt if I were ever to close!
Non-Pharm Fun
"I love spending time my son since because of work I get limited time to do so. As well, my wife and I are foodies, so were always looking for opportunities to try new places. Finally, I have an addiction to podcasts I spend a lot of time listening and discovering new ones."