We Are IH: Meet a pharmacist who helps IH manage drug shortages

Kris has focused on drug shortages a lot in recent years, which he said requires proactive management locally, provincially and nationally. He is part of a committee addressing this issue for B.C. hospitals called the B.C. Health Authorities Provincial Supply Chain Subcommittee.

“I meet biweekly with colleagues from across the province to discuss the most critical drug shortages, share information and determine strategies for management,” Kris says. “In this role, I am able to influence provincial processes; I recently worked with a colleague from Fraser Health to propose a process for province-wide drug shortage memos that was implemented at the beginning of March.”

While there are a lot of challenges that come with managing the drug shortages, Kris has celebrated some victories. He played a key role in helping to manage the shortage of pediatric liquid antibiotics and acetaminophen during 2022/23 flu season.

He helped draft critical drug shortage bulletins with recommendations for conservation measures and alternatives, and helped source a temporary compounded supply of liquid amoxicillin/acetaminophen to ensure limited supply disruptions.

Kris has always enjoyed acting and has done community theatre over the years. He embraced a unique opportunity to combine acting with health-care work, volunteering with the Southern Medical Program since 2018 as a standardized patient, using his acting skills in standardized exams.

Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his wife and growing family. Their second child (another boy) was just born in March, and they plan to travel during his paternity leave in September.

“I love doing outdoor activities with our four-year-old like camping, biking, playing at the park, skating, or swimming in the lake,” Kris says. “I also enjoy exploring new places and trying new activities in and around the Okanagan.”

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