MONTRÉAL -- August 30, 2026 -- Patients who wait weeks for a doctor's appointment to manage a chronic condition like diabetes or high blood pressure could increasingly turn to a pharmacist instead, under integration plans discussed by global pharmacy leaders gathered in Montréal on August 28, 2026. Health regulators, academics and pharmacy association heads from the United States, Canada and other countries met for the International Forum on Primary Health Care to pinpoint what's holding pharmacists back from taking on bigger clinical roles.