12:00 – 12:30 PM:

New insights, strategies and solutions to support employees with chronic diseases

This session draws on Sun Life’s claims data of more than three million employees to provide a view into how chronic disease is impacting Canadian employees. It will explore insights on the trends of chronic disease impacting the health of younger employees and women. This session will also highlight new solutions to help employees manage their chronic diseases and achieve more optimal health.

Speaker:

Jeffery Chan, assistant vice-president, chronic disease management, ePharmacy, Sun Life

12:30 – 1:00 PM:

Reshaping the narrative on obesity in the workplace

Obesity isn’t officially recognized in Canada as a chronic disease, which results in a lack of access to effective medical intervention to treat and prevent it. This session will explore how unmanaged obesity and its related health issues decrease work productivity, lead to higher absenteeism and presenteeism and cost Canada more than $27 billion annually.

Speaker:

Lisa Schaffer, executive director, Obesity Canada

This session has been made possible by Eli Lilly Canada.

1:00 – 1:45 PM:

The kidneys: Two small organs that play an essential role in our health

Kidney disease has an impact on quality of life and productivity. This panel will discuss the importance of kidney health and how certain chronic kidney conditions can affect the lives of people of all ages, including workers. It will highlight the importance of effective diagnosis and treatment to protect kidney health, while limiting disabling symptoms.

Speakers:

Dr. Phil McFarlane, clinical investigator, division of nephrology, t. Michael’s Hospital, assistant professor, University of Toronto

Neda Nasseri, pharmacist and product director, drug benefits, Desjardins Insurance

More speakers to be confirmed. This session has been made possible by Otsuka.

1:45 – 2:00 PM:

Break

2:00 – 2:30 PM:

Think pharmacist for accessible and convenient health care

This session will explore how pharmacists are expanding their role in chronic disease management to lead to a healthier and more productive workforce. It will discuss practical strategies to empower employees to take charge of their health and showcase examples of pharmacy-led initiatives.

Speakers:

Jennifer Poh, senior director, drug plan solutions, Health Solutions by Shoppers Drug Mart

Anu Sharda, senior director, payor partnerships, Health Solutions by Shoppers Drug Mart

2:30 – 3:00 PM:

Managing diabetes with insulin pump technology

It can be complex to juggle several variables to maintain health each day and if diabetes is insulin-requiring and isn’t under control, there’s an impact on performance in and out of the workplace.  Advancements in insulin pump technology have proven invaluable in simplifying the complexity, minimizing the burden and enabling people to manage diabetes with success.

Speakers:

Pamela Borges, head, market access, Insulet Canada

Andrew Muirhead, territory manager, Insulet Canada

3:00 – 3:30 PM:

Beyond dementia: The new era of Alzheimer’s disease treatments

Alzheimer’s disease isn’t just a disease of old age. Its early stages affect many working Canadians, both as individuals living with the disease or as care partners for people living with it. This session will focus on the first disease modifying treatment for Alzheimer’s disease in Canada, including insight on the impact and significance of a treatment in this disease space.

Speaker:

Dr. Sara Mitchell, cognitive neurologist, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre

This session has been made possible by Eisai.

3:30 – 4:00 PM:

Session details to come

Speaker:

Ajit Johal, community pharmacist, clinical assistant professor at the University of British Columbia and founder, immunize.io

This session has been made possible by GSK, Merck and Pfizer Canada.