Nardine Nakhla

Clinical Lecturer

Nardine Nakhla Dr. Nakhla is a community pharmacist and academic with interest in minor ailments, self-care, and non-prescription medications. Since 2008, Dr. Nakhla has designed and delivered curricular content on the assessment of self-treating patients, common illnesses and self-medication using over-the-counter (OTC) medicines in both the lecture and practical laboratory setting. She has spoken at provincial, national and international meetings on these subjects, and has written a chapter for the Canadian Minor Ailments reference. In addition, Dr. Nakhla is a columnist for Pharmacy Practice+, blogging regularly about common and current issues related to OTC counselling.

Contact information
Office: PHR 7006
Phone: 519-888-4567 ext. 21340
Email: nnakhla@uwaterloo.ca
Website: Self Care News

Expertise

Clinical and economic outcomes of pharmacist’s prescribing for minor/common ailments
The role of community pharmacists in assessment and triaging self-treating patients
Nonprescription therapeutics
Self-care
Expanded Scope of Practice for Pharmacists

Research and Clinical Practice

Dr. Nakhla’s research interests include the impact of minor ailment prescribing by pharmacists on patient and health system outcomes. She is also interested in examining factors influencing OTC product selection and patient counseling.

In addition, Dr. Nakhla is dedicated and actively involved in the education and empowerment of community-based patients, pharmacists and healthcare providers regarding the safe and appropriate use of non-prescription medications.

Teaching

Dr. Nakhla teaches at the undergraduate level. Course offerings have included:

PHARM 129 Professional Practice I
PHARM 228 Professional Practice III
PHARM 362 Advanced Patient Self-Care
PHARM 472 Community Practice in a Changing Environment
PHARM 291 Seminars in Pharmacy II
PHARM 131 Professional Practice Lab I

Highlighted Publications

Armstrong D, Nakhla N. Non-prescription proton-pump inhibitors for self-treating frequent heartburn: the role of the Canadian pharmacist. Pharmacy Practice. 2016 Oct-Dec;14(4):868. doi:10.18549/PharmPract.2016.04.868. Available online, accepted November 29, 2016.

Nakhla N, Austin Z. Prescriber Notebook: A resource to support your professional development. Ontario College of Pharmacists Optimizing Patient Care (OPC) Program. 2016; 1-74. Available online, published April 29, 2016.

Nakhla N. Chapter 2: Pharmacist Assessment of the Self-Treating Patient. In: The Compendium of Therapeutics for Minor Ailments. 2nd ed. Ottawa, ON:2016. www.e-therapeutics.ca

Nakhla N, Baer P, Beland A, Lin P, Stern S. OTC pain medication in the polypharmacy era: what primary care physicians need to know. The Medical Post. April 7, 2015.

Awards and Distinctions

2015 University of Waterloo Student Support Recognition Award

Professional Associations and Service

Licensed pharmacist with the Ontario College of Pharmacists
Clinical Pharmacist (part time) at United Drug Mart
Member, Ontario Pharmacy Association
Member, American Pharmacists Association
Member, Ontario College of Pharmacists Jurisprudence Steering Committee
Staff Pharmacist – United Drug Mart Pharmacy
Dr. Nakhla holds the title of Lecturer and Education Coordinator of Continuous Professional Development (CPD) at the University of Toronto Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy. She also co-coordinates the Self Care Course for the International Pharmacy Graduate Program and is the Academic Lead of the Minor Ailments CPD Program for Pharmacists.
Dr. Nakhla is a member of the Ontario College of Pharmacist’s Jurisprudence Steering Committee and is active in the legislative changes being made to enhance the scope of pharmacy practice across the province.