Pharmacists will soon be allowed to prescribe 13 common ailments

The provincial government is making it more convenient for people to receive medication by launching pharmacist prescribing for 13 common ailments.

By Jan. 1, people in Ontario will be able to stop in at any pharmacies to receive medication for some of the “most common ailments” by just providing a health card to a pharmacist.

“Expanding the ability of pharmacists to provide care is one more way we’re putting people at the centre of our health care system,” said Syliva Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health.

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Pharmacists will be able to provide prescriptions for:

• hay fever (allergic rhinitis);
• oral thrush (candidal stomatitis);
• pink eye (conjunctivitis; bacterial, allergic and viral);
• dermatitis (atopic, eczema, allergic and contact);
• menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea);
• acid reflux (gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD));
• hemorrhoids;
• cold sores (herpes labialis);
• impetigo;
• insect bites and hives;
• tick bites (post-exposure prophylaxis to prevent Lyme disease);
• sprains and strains (musculoskeletal); and
• urinary tract infections (UTIs).

A common ailment is a health condition that can be self-diagnosed and managed with minimal treatment.

This service makes it more convenient to access health care by removing a doctor’s visit and it will come at no extra costs to Ontarians, said the Ontario government in an announcement.