This Remembrance Day, we at Centrum Pharmacy pay tribute to the courageous men and women who serve in Canada’s Armed Forces — and we wish to shine a light on a special group whose role often goes unseen: military pharmacists.
Pharmacists serving in deployed settings face extraordinary challenges. They are not only medication experts but also frontline problem-solvers — working under pressure in unpredictable, sometimes hostile environments to safeguard the health of their comrades-in-arms.
The Deployed Pharmacist’s Role
Expertise and Availability
Military pharmacists are the primary pharmaceutical experts in operational zones.
Often, they are the only pharmacist assigned to a large military area of responsibility — responsible for the procurement, storage, distribution, and safety of all medications in their theatre of operations. Their availability is constant, and their decision-making can mean the difference between readiness and vulnerability for an entire unit.
Diverse Positions
Pharmacists may serve in a variety of specialized capacities, including:
- Field hospital pharmacist — managing acute care medications and trauma supplies.
- Division pharmacist — advising senior medical officers on formulary and drug-use policy.
- Medical logistics pharmacist — overseeing medication transport, storage, and temperature control.
- Theatre pharmacy consultant — coordinating drug use and medical supply chain strategies across an entire region.
Success in these positions requires both clinical acumen and logistical expertise, ensuring every medication is available, stable, and properly used — even in austere or shifting conditions.
Challenges Faced by Deployed Pharmacists
Logistics and Supply Management
In the field, pharmacists must maintain strict control over limited and sensitive supplies.
They manage controlled substances, refrigerated items, and time-sensitive shipments — often in the absence of consistent infrastructure. Every day requires adaptability and vigilance.
Formulary Changes and Evolving Missions
No two missions are the same. Pharmacists must frequently adjust medication inventories based on changing health threats, climates, and tactical objectives. They balance clinical judgment, resource constraints, and rapid operational tempo — ensuring troops always have what they need, when they need it most.
Pharmacists’ Experiences and Preparation
Training and Readiness
Before deployment, military pharmacists undergo intensive preparation in:
- Sterile compounding and critical care
- Logistics management
- Field medical readiness and trauma protocols
Much of their learning happens on the job, adapting to new realities daily — from coordinating medical evacuations to managing drug shortages under pressure.
Unique Medications and Emergencies
Depending on location, deployed pharmacists handle medications rarely seen in civilian practice.
In Afghanistan, for example, pharmacists managed supplies such as snake antivenom and malaria prophylaxis, adapting to local disease patterns and environmental hazards.
Responding to the Unthinkable
Pharmacists must also prepare for high-stress events — including mass casualties, disrupted supply routes, or active hostilities. Ensuring frontline medical units have enough medications during these moments is a responsibility that demands both precision and courage.
Spotlight: Pharmacist Hero – Captain Ellen F. Williams
This year, we proudly recognize Captain Ellen F. Williams, a pharmacist who exemplifies the strength, resilience, and professionalism that define military pharmacy. Her chronicles of her first year as an army pharmacist, highlights how pharmacists protect not only the physical health of soldiers but also the operational integrity of entire missions.
Learn more about her inspiring story Here.
This Remembrance Day, as we honour those who fought for our freedom, let us also remember the pharmacists who serve behind the scenes — ensuring every soldier receives the right medication, in the right dose, at the right time.
💬 Visit Centrum Pharmacy to discover how our pharmacists deliver Complete, Comprehensive, Caring, and Connected Care — every day, in service of our community.
