At Centrum Pharmacy, we recognize the critical role we play, both as an employer and as a provider of health care services to our community. Our mission is not only to ensure the well-being of our patients but also to contribute to the good health of the broader community we serve.

We firmly believe in the inherent worth and dignity of every person, and we are committed to standing against racism and discrimination in all forms. Whether through overt acts of hate or subtle micro-aggressions, such behaviors have no place in our society.

We understand that, as a society, we must do better. Acknowledging the existence of racism and discrimination is the first step. As health professionals and employers, we have a responsibility to speak out when we witness injustice, advocate for the equal rights of all members of our community, and actively work to dismantle barriers that perpetuate inequality.

We recognize that systemic racism and discrimination significantly impact the health care system, leading to inequitable access to services. In 2018, the Canadian Public Health Association identified racism as a public health crisis. This reality underlines the need for change.

At Centrum Pharmacy, we are committed to educating ourselves on these issues. It’s vital to ensure that our pharmacy reflects the diversity of the community we serve and embodies the values of inclusion and equity.

We pledge to listen, reflect, and take meaningful action to eliminate social injustice, including anti-Black, anti-Indigenous, and anti-people-of-colour racism. We also commit to standing against discrimination targeting vulnerable populations, LGBTQ2S+ individuals, and people with mental and physical disabilities.

Our profession’s Code of Ethics upholds principles of beneficence, non-maleficence, fidelity, and respect. As health care professionals, it is our duty to collaborate in building a more equitable and safer society for all.

Our commitment begins here:

• We commit to promoting equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in our approach and philosophy, in our workplace and with our patient care practices. 

• We commit to ongoing education to enhance our understanding of Indigenous, racial, religious, cultural, mental, physical, and gender-related issues in order to reduce systemic inequities and create an inclusive environment for all.

• We commit to honoring the intrinsic worth and dignity of every patient as a human being and to treat every patient fairly and equitably.

• We commit to applying our knowledge, experience, and skills to the best of our abilities to assure optimal outcomes for every patient.

We know that this is an ongoing process. As we continue on this journey, we promise to listen, reflect, learn, take actions that enable us to continue to make progress along this journey.