Six in Ten (61%) Ontarians Would Visit Their Pharmacist for Administration of Drugs and Immunizations, If they Had the Proper Training and Government Authorization

Toronto, ON - If they knew their pharmacist had appropriate training and was authorized by the government to provide health advice and services to support their personal health beyond drug dispensing and prescription instructions, six in ten (61%) Ontarians would visit their pharmacist for the administration of drugs by injection, including immunizations, and drugs by inhalation.

The results of the Ipsos Reid poll, conducted on behalf of the Ontario Pharmacists' Association, also reveal that various factors would make Ontarians more likely to visit their pharmacist instead of their doctor or a clinic for support on minor health issues (allergic reactions, cough and cold, eye/ear infections, etc). Among those factors are not having to make an appointment to see their pharmacist (77% say they'd be more likely to visit their pharmacist as a result), the pharmacy being open on the weekend or evenings (76%), not having to wait in a doctor's waiting room (76%) and that the pharmacist would communicate his/her activities to their doctor (75%).

These are some of the findings of an Ipsos Reid poll conducted between December 20 to 21, 2011, on behalf of the Ontario Pharmacists' Association. For this survey, a sample of 803 adults living in Ontario from Ipsos' Canadian online panel was interviewed online. Weighting was then employed to balance demographics to ensure that the sample's composition reflects that of the adult population according to Census data and to provide results intended to approximate the sample universe. A survey with an unweighted probability sample of this size and a 100% response rate would have an estimated margin of error of +/- 3.5 percentage points, 19 times out of 20, of what the results would have been had the entire population of adults in Ontario been polled. All sample surveys and polls may be subject to other sources of error, including, but not limited to coverage error and measurement error.

For more information on this news release, please contact:

Sean Simpson
Associate Vice President
Ipsos Reid
Public Affairs
416.572.4474
[email protected]

About Ipsos Reid

Ipsos Reid is Canada's market intelligence leader, the country's leading provider of public opinion research, and research partner for loyalty and forecasting and modelling insights. With operations in eight cities, Ipsos Reid employs more than 600 research professionals and support staff in Canada. The company has the biggest network of telephone call centres in the country, as well as the largest pre-recruited household and online panels. Ipsos Reid's marketing research and public affairs practices offer the premier suite of research vehicles in Canada, all of which provide clients with actionable and relevant information. Staffed with seasoned research consultants with extensive industry-specific backgrounds, Ipsos Reid offers syndicated information or custom solutions across key sectors of the Canadian economy, including consumer packaged goods, financial services, automotive, retail, and technology & telecommunications. Ipsos Reid is an Ipsos company, a leading global survey-based market research group.

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About Ipsos

Ipsos is an independent market research company controlled and managed by research professionals. Founded in France in 1975, Ipsos has grown into a worldwide research group with a strong presence in all key markets. In October 2011 Ipsos completed the acquisition of Synovate. The combination forms the world's third largest market research company.

With offices in 84 countries, Ipsos delivers insightful expertise across six research specializations: advertising, customer loyalty, marketing, media, public affairs research, and survey management.

Ipsos researchers assess market potential and interpret market trends. They develop and build brands. They help clients build long-term relationships with their customers. They test advertising and study audience responses to various media and they measure public opinion around the globe.

Ipsos has been listed on the Paris Stock Exchange since 1999 and generated global revenues of e1,363 billion (1.897 billion USD) in 2011.

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