About PAD service
Last updated on February 2, 2026Academic detailing is a form of continuing medical education where a knowledgeable and experienced pharmacist (i.e., the academic detailer) meets with clinicians individually or in small groups to discuss selected drug therapy topics.
PAD sessions are free to physicians, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, naturopathic doctors, and other health care professionals, in all health authorities in B.C.
The sessions provide objective, balanced, evidence-informed drug information on:
- Medications frequently prescribed in primary care
- Important clinical developments, such as new evidence on efficacy and safety
- Best prescribing practices
- Therapeutic dilemmas or controversies
Sessions are usually 30-45 minutes, but can be shorter or longer if needed. They can be held in the clinician's office, another location, or online through web conferencing.
Each topic meets the accreditation criteria of the College of Family Physicians of Canada for up to 1.0 MainPro+ credits.
PAD was launched in 2008. It is funded by the Ministry of Health’s Health System Policy and Oversight Division. PAD’s goal is to present evidence-based and practical drug information so that clinicians can make informed therapeutic decisions.
Suggestions for topics are welcome from anyone.
- Suggest a PAD topic – PAD topic suggestions
- Learn about the – topic development process
PAD at a glance
The following data shows PAD’s reach in B.C. between September 2022 and December 2025. View PAD at a glance (PDF, 320KB) for more details or read more below.
PAD's reach in B.C.
Between 2022 and 2025, PAD pharmacists held over 4000 academic detailing sessions, averaging 40 minutes per session, across 5 health authorities, and over 120 communities.
Participants
Many health care professionals participate in PAD sessions:
Practice locations of participants
What participants say about the service
94 – 100% of surveyed PAD participants “agreed” or “strongly agreed” that:
- They felt better informed when discussing medication options with patients
- The session met their expectations
- The session was a valuable use of their time
83% of surveyed participants “agreed” or “strongly agreed” that their practice is likely to change because of their PAD sessions (i.e., they learned something new/useful).
Participant feedback
“Session was excellent. Very pertinent topic with useful clear handouts that addressed all of the clinical questions I would have.”
"Great informative session. As a new grad practitioner, I found the information provided—along with the one-on-one support—extremely helpful. The session was highly valuable, and I genuinely appreciated the clarity and guidance offered. I plan to book more sessions and look forward to continuing to learn and grow in my practice"
"I found the session to be very well prepared and delivered. The [pharmacist] was professional, the materials were complete, and all my questions were answered in depth."
"I really enjoy sessions with [PAD pharmacists]. Very engaging and I learn in a collaborative way which is non-judgmental."
