It’s now easier to get medicine for common ailments in Ontario. Pharmacists can now prescribe medication for 13 ailments, thanks to a recent decision made by the Ministry of Health.
As of January 1st, 2023, the provincial government has allowed pharmacies across Ontario to write prescriptions for a variety of the most common ailments.
“This service makes it more convenient to access care by removing a doctor’s office visit and will come at no extra cost to Ontarians,” says the announcement from the Ministry.
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Local pharmacies are now a one-stop-shop for thirteen common ailments.
Starting today, highly trained pharmacists are able to prescribe medication for common ailments with no cost for the visit.
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— Sylvia Jones (@SylviaJonesMPP) January 1, 2023
This move will free up physicians to “focus on the more complex health care needs of their patients,” and improve access to medical care in rural parts of the province.
Per the announcement, here are the 13 ailments that Ontario pharmacists can now prescribe medication 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).
All you need is your health card to be given the necessary medication to treat these ailments.
Now that these changes are in effect, Ontarians are asked to give their local pharmacy a call beforehand to confirm whether they provide prescribing services.
