Pharmacists can now prescribe medication for minor ailments
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Local pharmacists say the ability to prescribe medication for minor medical ailments makes access to health care faster and more accessible.
The provincial government on Jan. 1 began allowing pharmacists in Ontario to assess and prescribe drugs to patients with 13 minor ailments, following similar moves by other provinces, such as Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Alberta.
Ontario pharmacists can now offer prescriptions for hay fever, oral thrush, pink eye, dermatitis, menstrual cramps, acid reflux, hemorrhoids, cold sores, bug bites or hives, post-exposure prophylaxis to prevent Lyme disease after a tick bite, sprains and strains, urinary tract infections and impetigo, a bacterial skin infection common in children.
“I think it’s saving a lot of time for the patient who can’t wait six or seven hours in a walk-in clinic or (the hospital’s) emergency department for a minor ailment,” said Anwar Dost, pharmacist at Cenpro Pharmacy on Brant Avenue in Brantford.
Dost estimates that 5,000 to 10,000 city residents do not have a family physician, adding that seniors and people who work can’t wait for hours on end to be seen at a clinic.
He said the new program will reduce demands on physician’s time and hospital emergency departments that are often overloaded with people seeking treatment for non-emergency ailments.
Since the rollout of the program, Dost said he’s prescribed treatment for an average of two to three people each day.
“We talk about the symptoms and their medical history, and explain a treatment plan,” Dost said. “We follow up in two days and I tell them if you don’t feel better, get in touch with your family doctor or go to emerg.”
A pharmacist since 1976, Dost said people have been calling him for years with symptoms but until now his hands were tied when it came to medications other than over-the-counter products.
He noted it’s unfortunate that Ontario is four to five years behind many other Canadian provinces with this service.
Common ailments are health conditions that can often be easily diagnosed with minimal treatment.
People having symptoms of the covered ailments should contact their local pharmacy first to ensure the prescribing service is being offered.
“It’s definitely faster for people,” said Omar Safir, pharmacist at Brantford Pharmacy located at 347 Colborne St.
“It’s not easy for any person to see a doctor, but it’s always very easy to see and talk to a pharmacist. For my customers, I always have time to talk to them, but now I can help them better.”
David McNeil, president and CEO of Brant Community Healthcare System, which runs Brantford General Hospital and the Willett in Paris, welcomed the new powers for pharmacists.
“We are pleased to hear of the service enhancements that will allow pharmacists to function to the full scope of their role,” he said in an emailed statement. “The new services provided by pharmacists will give people another alternative to access health care for the 13 identified ailments. Patients experiencing a medical emergency should call 911 or seek care in our emergency department.”
bethompson@postmedia.com
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