Toronto: Ontario pharmacists will soon be able to prescribe medication for 13 common illnesses to reduce medical waiting times.
As of January 1, 2023, Ontarians will be able to stop in at pharmacies across the province to receive prescriptions for thirteen common ailments, including rashes, pink eye, insect bites and urinary tract infections with just their health card. 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.
A statement issued by Ontario government officials said that pharmacies will now be able to treat the following medical problems from January 1:
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).
Officials said that people are also being advised to call their pharmacists first to confirm that they are providing prescription.
Government officials say that this will make health care easier and people will not have to make rounds of the doctor’s office for small things. So Ontarions won’t have to spend extra money.