ONTARIO—Earlier in 2023, Ontario was one of the last provinces to expand pharmacists’ prescribing services to include 13 minor ailments. Minor ailments are health conditions that can be managed with self-care strategies or minimal treatment. These are generally short-term conditions and lab work is not usually required.1
Pharmacist prescribing has been proven to increase patient accessibility to health care services, reduce emergency room wait times, and decrease health care costs. This is especially true in rural communities, such as Manitoulin Island, where health care services are far and few. With no walk-in clinics available and long wait times for doctor’s appointments, the emergency department is often the only choice remaining for patients who require immediate care. Pharmacists are now able to narrow this gap by triaging patients and prescribing when appropriate.
Initially, Ontario pharmacists were approved to prescribe for the following 13 conditions: bladder infections (uncomplicated), skin rashes (ex. eczema), cold sores, eye conditions (ex. pink eye), allergies, oral thrush, insect bites, menstrual cramping, heartburn and acid reflux, hemorrhoids, impetigo, tick bites and muscle sprains and strains.
The improvements seen on the healthcare system were so vast that Ontario added six more minor ailments to the list on October 1, 2023. These include: diaper rash, yeast infections, mild to moderate acne, canker sores, nausea and vomiting in pregnancy and pinworms and threadworms.
If you are experiencing any symptoms related to the conditions listed above, be sure to contact your pharmacist for an assessment. Through a series of questions, they will either be able to prescribe you with a treatment, recommend an over-the-counter product, or refer you to a physician if further assessment is needed. This is a government funded service; therefore, there is no charge to receive an assessment, as long as you present a valid Ontario health card. However, you may need to cover the cost of a recommended over the counter product or prescribed medication.
Currently, the following pharmacies on the Island are providing minor ailment prescribing services: Little Current Guardian Pharmacy, Mindemoya Guardian Pharmacy, Manitowaning Guardian Pharmacy, Gore Bay Guardian Pharmacy and Sweet Grass Pharmacy.
