Ontario pharmacists are authorized to prescribe new drugs.
The Doug Ford administration made the announcement on Thursday in its 2023 budget, saying the initial push to get pharmacists to prescribe some drugs was “very popular.”
Beginning in the fall, expanded prescription power will include drugs to treat moderate acne, stomatitis, diaper dermatitis, yeast infections, pinworms and heartworms, and pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting.
Since December 2022, pharmacists have been able to prescribe paxlovid, an oral antiviral for COVID-19. According to the government, Paxlovid’s dispensing rate has increased by more than 130% since pharmacists were allowed to prescribe the drug.
Prior to that date, Ontarians needed a prescription from a doctor or a clinical evaluation center to receive treatment.
This responsibility was further expanded after the Progressive Conservative Party gave pharmacists the ability to fill prescriptions for the 13 “most common ailments” in January 2023.
These include hay fever, oral candidiasis, dermatitis, pink eyes, menstrual cramps, acid reflux, hemorrhoids, cold sores, impetigo, insect bites and hives, tick bites, sprains and torn muscles, and urinary tract infections. It is included.
At the time, the health minister said the move would allow Ontarians to be more convenient and “free doctors” to help with more complex needs.
