The role of pharmacists in offering health services is constantly changing to meet the growing healthcare demands of the Canadian population. This has led to a rapidly expanding scope of practice for pharmacists. Recently, pharmacists have been permitted by the Pharmacy Act to diagnose and treat certain minor health conditions. As a candidate preparing to take your licensing exams, it is important to keep up to date with these changes and understand your role and responsibility for delivering these services. In this blog, you will find essential information about your scope of practice in navigating minor ailments. More specifically, you will learn about what minor ailments can pharmacists prescribe for in Ontario and you will find a minor ailments list.
What Minor Ailments Can Pharmacists Prescribe for in Ontario?
Currently, pharmacists can prescribe select medications for 19 different minor ailments.
Here are some minor ailments list:
- acid reflux (gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD))
- acne
- canker sores
- cold sores (herpes labialis)
- dermatitis (atopic, eczema, allergic, and contact)
- diaper rash
- hay fever (allergic rhinitis)
- hemorrhoids
- impetigo
- insect bites and hives
- menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea)
- nausea and vomiting in pregnancy
- oral thrush (candidal stomatitis)
- parasitic worms (pinworms and threadworms)
- pink eye (conjunctivitis; bacterial, allergic, and viral)
- sprains and strains (musculoskeletal)
- tick bites (post-exposure prophylaxis to prevent Lyme disease)
- urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- yeast infections
Setting in Which you are Prohibited by law from Providing these Services
You are not authorized by law as a pharmacist to write prescriptions for minor ailments in certain healthcare settings, such as hospitals and residential care, including long-term care homes. and other settings such as retirement homes. Additionally, pharmacists cannot prescribe in circumstances where red flags are present, which indicate a more severe disease.
Duties, Obligations, and Responsibilities
As a pharmacist providing these services, you must:
- Take all necessary steps to ensure that you are providing the right treatment and diagnosis, including using clinical algorithms and other evidence-based resources to form your decision.
- Refer patients to other services or healthcare professionals when needed.
- Adhere to the Standard of Practice while providing professional healthcare services.
- Provide patients accessing services, whether virtually or in person, with quality care while maintaining a high degree of professionalism.
To learn more about your scope of practice in regards to providing treatment for minor ailments, please, refer to the Ontario College of Pharmacists website and the Government of Ontario website. As you prepare for your licensing exam, remember to familiarize yourself with the new developments in pharmaceutical practice. By doing this, you will be ready to transfer your knowledge to practice once you get licensed.
References
- https://www.ocpinfo.com/practice-education/expanded-scope-of-practice/minor-ailment/
- https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/practitioner-professional-resources/pharmacare/initiatives/ppmac
