REGINA – The province has introduced new legislation that will expand Saskatchewan pharmacists’ duties.
In 2015, pharmacists will be able to administer vaccines and drugs, including flu shots and vitamin B12 injections.
Pharmacists will also be able to order and access laboratory tests.
“All health care providers, including pharmacists, play an increasingly important role by working to their full scopes of practice on a collaborative team,” Health Minister Dustin Duncan said.
“In the spirit of putting the patient first, I believe that expanding pharmacists’ scope of practice will give patients even greater and more timely access to health services.”
As pharmacists move into a more clinical role, pharmacy technicians will have to undertake additional training to be regulated under the Saskatchewan College of Pharmacists, and assume a number of the pharmacist’s technical duties.
“We agree with the minister that these changes will enhance patient access to health services,” Saskatchewan College of Pharmacists Registrar Ray Joubert said.
“As a regulatory body, we will take steps to work collaboratively with our stakeholders to ensure appropriate standards and training are in place so that these services are delivered safely and properly co-ordinated within the health system. This will include ensuring that pharmacy technicians are appropriately qualified to assume responsibility for their important supportive role of the pharmacist.”
In 2011 pharmacists were given the authority in Saskatchewan to be able to prescribe medication to patients for specific minor ailments.
There are currently around 1,400 pharmacists practicing in Saskatchewan.
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