TORONTO — Ontarians with 13 common ailments can skip the doctor’s office and head straight to the pharmacist to get a prescription as of today.
The provincial government says pharmacists now have the power to prescribe treatments for conditions that include pink eye, hemorrhoids and urinary tract infections.
The province says residents need only bring their health card to a participating pharmacy.
Both Shoppers Drug Mart and Rexall said their pharmacists would be ready to provide the service today.
But the head of the Ontario Pharmacists Association said people should expect a bit of a ramp-up period.
Justin Bates says Ontarians should call their pharmacies or visit their websites to find out if they’re ready to make prescriptions.
The provincial government says the new program comes at no extra cost to Ontarians and will free up doctors to treat more complex medical conditions.
- Bird flu risk to humans an ‘enormous concern,’ WHO says. Here’s what to know
- ‘She gets to be 10’: Ontario child’s heart donated to girl the same age
- Shoppers faces proposed class action over claims company is ‘abusive’ to pharmacists
- Most Canadian youth visit dentists, but lack of insurance a barrier
Comments