PharmD for Pharmacists student recognized for community leadership

As a practising pharmacist in an underserved community in Kingston, Ontario, and an advocate for pharmacists, Tarek Hussein strongly believes that pharmacists are a vital part of primary health care. He recently received the Community Builder Award from the Kingston Newcomer Entrepreneur Awards, hosted by the Kingston Economic Development Agency, recognizing his continuous support of the community.

“People who work in the community are usually not waiting for recognition or awards but just are doing what they think needs to be done,” says Hussein, a 2011 graduate of the International Pharmacy Graduate (IPG) program and current PharmD for Pharmacists student at U of T’s Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy. “But it’s a very rewarding and gratifying feeling that people are noticing and appreciating what you do in the community.”

Hussein graduated with a degree in pharmacy from the University of Cairo in 1993 and earned an MBA from IE Business School in Spain in 2006. He worked in the pharmaceutical industry for several years before moving to Ontario in 2010. He then completed the IPG program and earned his pharmacy license in 2011 and has practised pharmacy in Kingston ever since.

After working in various community and hospital pharmacies, he opened Weller Pharmacy in 2015. The pharmacy works closely with leading local organizations like Kingston Community Health Centres to provide a variety of pharmacy services to the historically underserved community, including an opioid agonist treatment program offering naloxone training and harm reduction supplies in addition to smoking cessation, specialty compounding, immunizations, chronic diseases management and prescribing for minor ailment services.

Since opening Weller Pharmacy, Hussein has taken on leadership roles in the community, including serving as the chair of the board of the local chamber of commerce and as the vice chair of an employment and newcomer services organization. He is also a local champion of living wages, inclusion, and environmental sustainability and has presented on sustainability to other pharmacists through the Canadian Pharmacists Association as pert of work at the Canadian Association of Pharmacy for the Environment.

“I think most pharmacists have a very strong moral and ethical compass and can see what is happening in the world and the problems in the environment,” says Hussein. “When people ask, what can I do, I always tell people to start slow, and then once you start to see outcomes, you can take on more.”

PharmD for Pharmacists degree opens up possibilities for pharmacy career

As the scope of practice for Ontario pharmacists continues to expand, Hussein recognized an opportunity to upgrade his pharmacy skills. In 2022, he started the PharmD for Pharmacists program at the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, which he says has not only made him a stronger clinician but has also made him a more effective advocate for the profession.

“I believe that community pharmacists need to be more involved in clinical services, and this program is sharpening my skills and supporting me in providing the next level of care for my patients.”

“I believe that community pharmacists need to be more involved in clinical services, and this program is sharpening my skills and supporting me in providing the next level of care for my patients,” he says. “At the same time, community pharmacists need to have a bigger voice at the policy table, and having this degree and the knowledge gained through it gives us the credibility to have a louder voice with government and other health care providers.”

Hussein says the program enables students to pursue their specific interests, allowing for a more tailored educational experience. For example, Hussein pursued an interest in international pharmacy through the Global Health Certificate, which allowed him to complete a rotation in Japan and build networks with other international pharmacists.

He also conducted and published research with faculty members on social prescribing, an emerging area of care that allows providers to refer patients to community services to address health and wellness needs – an approach that aligns with Hussein’s community focus. These experiences have opened his eyes to the variety of opportunities available to pharmacists.

“Having a PharmD will give me new avenues and new opportunities. There are so many things you can do with this degree, whether conducting research, working in hospital or industry, or taking on more clinical roles. We are only limited by our imagination,” says Hussein.