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What minor ailment conditions can I see a pharmacist for?
Pharmacists in B.C. can assess and prescribe for 21 conditions, like uncomplicated urinary tract infections, mild acne, pink eye, cold sores, diaper rash, shingles, yeast infections and more. Additionally, pharmacists can prescribe contraception.
The following minor ailments pharmacists can assess and prescribe for include:
- Mild acne
- Allergies (allergic rhinitis)
- Pink eye (conjunctivitis)
- Skin rash (dermatitis)
- Menstrual pain
- Indigestion (upset stomach)
- Heartburn (acid reflux)
- Fungal infections
- Headaches
- Hemorrhoids
- Cold sores
- Impetigo
- Oral ulcers (canker sores)
- Oral fungal infections (thrush)
- Musculoskeletal pain (sore joints/muscles)
- Nicotine dependence
- Shingles
- Threadworms or pinworms
- Uncomplicated urinary tract infection
- Itching, including from bug bites
- Vaginal candidiasis (yeast infection)
You can use the Province's Self-Assessment Checklist to help determine if it's a minor ailment.
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Why is it called a “minor ailment”?
Minor ailments are described as health conditions that can be managed with minimal treatment and/or self-care strategies. They are usually self-diagnosed, short-term and have a low risk that the treatment would mask an underlying condition.
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What if it is something more serious?
Pharmacists will assess the patient using a series of clinical decisions, and if they determine the condition appears more complicated, then they will advise the patient to a physician or other prescriber.
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Do pharmacists have the training for this? Is it safe?
Pharmacists have the knowledge and training to assess and prescribe for minor ailments and contraception. In fact, pharmacists have been prescribing for minor ailments in other parts of Canada for quite some time. Pharmacists in nine other provinces are already prescribing for minor ailments. For more information, click here.
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Do I need to see my doctor/a doctor after I see a pharmacist for my minor condition?
No. If the treatment plan determined by your pharmacist works, you are not required to follow up with another healthcare provider like a doctor or nurse practitioner. However, a pharmacist may still advise you to seek additional care if you do not see improvement or there are concerns.
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Won’t pharmacists just want to push medication to get more money?
No. Pharmacists will be paid for the assessment, even if treatment can be managed with over-the-counter medication or the pharmacist recommends you see another health care provider. If a prescription is issued, you can take the prescription to another pharmacy to have it filled.
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Can I take my prescription to another pharmacy?
Yes. You are not required to fill your prescription at the pharmacy where you were assessed and prescribed for a minor ailment or contraception.
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Do I have to make an appointment, or can I walk in?
It’s advisable to book an appointment to ensure that the pharmacy can provide that service to you that day. However, you can also walk in. To find a pharmacy near you offering this service, click here.
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How long will my appointment last?
Depending on the situation, a consultation with a pharmacist may last up to 20 minutes.
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Where do I find a pharmacy near me that has a pharmacist that will prescribe?
Find a pharmacy here. More than 1,100 pharmacies in B.C. are providing this service and more will be added over the coming months.
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Who is eligible for this service?
The service is free to individuals who are a resident of B.C. and have a British Columbia personal health number (PHN). Individuals in long-term care (PharmaCare Plan B) are not eligible for this free service. To find out more about who is eligible, click here.
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Do I need to bring my ID to the pharmacy? What forms of ID are accepted?
You must have a permanent address in B.C., which can be verified by a B.C. driver’s license or B.C. Services Card or other form of ID.
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If I’m from another province, can I access this?
This service is available for free only to British Columbians with a personal health number (PHN). Individuals from outside of B.C. can pay for this service with the pharmacy.
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I believe I have diabetes/high blood pressure/a mental health diagnosis, and I’d like to be seen by a pharmacist to prescribe medication for it. Can I do this?
No. Pharmacists can only assess and prescribe for the 21 minor ailment conditions and contraceptives. For a chronic condition like cardiovascular disease, diabetes or other more complicated conditions, a patient must be seen by a physician or other healthcare provider to diagnose and prescribe treatment.
If you have been diagnosed and prescribed medication and have a valid prescription that needs renewing, a pharmacist can help you. The only medications that cannot be renewed are cancer treatments.
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Is there an age limit? Will pharmacists see children?
There is no age limit on what pharmacists can prescribe. However, if a child cannot consent or understand the treatment, a parent or guardian would need to be with them.
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What about acne? I’m a teen and need a prescription. Can I go in on my own to get a prescription?
Mild acne is considered a minor ailment. If you can understand and provide consent for treatment, yes, you can visit the pharmacist for assessing your acne, like your visit to a doctor or other prescriber.
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Will all pharmacists provide minor ailments and contraception services?
Pharmacists are not required to prescribe for minor ailments or contraception. The decision to prescribe is at the discretion of the individual pharmacist. In addition, a pharmacist who has completed the necessary requirements and decides to prescribe for minor ailments and contraception is not obligated to prescribe in every scenario.
Please check here for available pharmacies that provide this service as of June 1, 2023. More pharmacies will be offering the service in the coming months.
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What if a pharmacist doesn’t issue me a prescription? Why might this be?
Some characteristics during an assessment may present a red flag to a pharmacist on the treatment of certain minor illnesses. This may be due to characteristics like age, pregnancy status, and specific health history that may warrant additional investigation or care of a physician or other prescriber. If the pharmacist decides not to prescribe, they will explain their reasoning and suggest a plan for monitoring or following up with a physician or other prescriber.
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Will my family doctor know if I am prescribed medications by a pharmacist?
When pharmacists prescribe medications for minor ailments or contraception, it is common in the best interest to notify your primary care provider in a timely manner to facilitate communication. The assessment for minor ailments or contraception will automatically be registered on your electronic health record (PharmaNet & CareConnect).
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Can a pharmacist prescribe antibiotics for Lyme disease after exposure?
Pharmacists in B.C. are not permitted to prescribe antibiotics for insect bites such as for post-exposure prophylaxis of Lyme disease. Schedule A of the Pharmacists Regulations limits prescribing for urticaria (including insect bites) to topical drugs only.
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Can a pharmacist prescribe a triptan for mild to moderate headache?
Pharmacists in B.C. are not permitted to prescribe triptans for headaches. Schedule A of the Pharmacists Regulations limit prescribing for headaches to NSAIDS only.
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I’m a 16-year-old, and I would like to visit my pharmacist to get a prescription for contraceptives. Can I?
Yes. If a pharmacist prescribes contraception, a patient can visit a pharmacist to see if they are eligible for a prescription for contraceptives. If you can understand and provide consent for your treatment as you do for a doctor’s visit, you can visit a pharmacist for this. There is no legislative age for consent for health care.
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If I’ve never had contraception before (taken birth control pills, had an IUD), can a pharmacist prescribe it to me?
Yes. Pharmacists can do this depending on the assessment and your eligibility.
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What contraceptives can pharmacists prescribe?
Pharmacists can prescribe oral hormone pills, commonly known as the pill, copper and hormonal intrauterine devices, known as IUDs, as well as subdermal (under-the-skin) injections and implants, and the vaginal ring.
If you are prescribed an IUD, a pharmacist cannot insert this for you. An appointment will need to be made with a physician to do this.
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What about emergency contraception?
Pharmacists in B.C. can recommend emergency contraception such as Plan B, also known as the morning-after pill. Pharmacists may also recommend ulipristal (ulipristal acetate), among other forms of emergency contraception, where appropriate.
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How long can a pharmacist renew a prescription for?
A pharmacist can renew a prescription for up to two years from the original date the prescription was written. Since 2009, B.C. pharmacists have been able to renew prescriptions, alter dosages and dispense substitute drugs to enhance patient outcomes. Today, pharmacists can now do this for a wider range of medications and renew most prescriptions for up to two years from the original prescription date if the prescription has not expired.
Generally, this means a patient has been on their medication for at least six months with no changes. For example, diabetes, thyroid issues, and high blood pressure (hypertension). Prescriptions for cancer chemotherapy agents cannot be changed or renewed by a pharmacist.
Talk to your pharmacist for more information.
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Does a patient have to go back to their doctor?
No, not under the circumstances as noted above. When renewing a prescription, the pharmacist does notify the doctor of the renewal to explain what they’ve done and why they’ve done it. However, a pharmacist always encourages a patient to return to their prescriber for their ongoing care to ensure their medication record is up-to-date.
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Can I still get a renewal if my doctor wrote a prescription for only 90 days with no authorized refills?
Yes, depending on the circumstances.
If the pharmacist feels they have the appropriate knowledge and information about the patient’s health status, they can renew the prescription from the date the prescription was written.
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What if my prescription has expired?
A pharmacist can not renew your prescription if it has expired. However, a pharmacist can provide an emergency refill.
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What if my prescription has expired and I can’t get in to see my doctor or don’t have that doctor anymore?
A pharmacist can provide an emergency refill to make sure a patient has continuity of care. Based on the type of medication, the pharmacist will work with the patient to determine how many days of supply, giving the patient time to see their doctor or find another prescriber.
Find more details on renewing prescriptions here.
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Make changes to an existing prescription
In some circumstances, a pharmacist can change an existing prescription. This includes changing the dose or strength of the drug, changing the formulation (ex: from a cream to an ointment) or substituting the drug within the same therapeutic class (ex: from one statin to another statin.). All of these are called “adaptations”.
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What would be a reason for adapting my prescription?
An example would be if a patient has a side effect to a particular drug. In that case the pharmacist would assess the effectiveness and safety of the prescribed drug and recommend to the patient they switch to an alternative drug in the same class that has a similar positive response, known as a “therapeutic effect”.
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Do you tell my prescriber that you’ve made these changes?
Yes. Pharmacists will notify your prescriber of any changes made to your medication.
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What kind of immunizations can pharmacists provide?
Pharmacists in B.C. who are certified to administer injections, can provide immunizations for all publicly funded vaccines, which includes COVID-19, flu, measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR), varicella, HPV, Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis (Tdap), Meningococcal and pneumonia. Pharmacists can also immunize for shingles and other recommended, but not publicly funded, vaccines.
Find details on the regulations here.
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Can my pharmacist provide B vitamin shots or Depo-Provera birth control shots?
Yes, on Oct. 14, 202, pharmacists in B.C. can provide injections of other drugs, such as B vitamins or Depo-Provera.
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Can my pharmacists give my kids their immunizations?
Pharmacists can provide shots to children ages 4 and older in B.C. They can provide intranasal vaccinations to children 2 years and older.
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How can pharmacists help me quit smoking?
British Columbians wanting to quit smoking can visit their local pharmacist for help. Pharmacists can provide free Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) under the BC Smoking Cessation Program.
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Do I have to see my doctor?
For non-prescription Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) products, British Columbians do not need to visit their doctor first. These products include nicotine gum, lozenges, and patches.
If you’d like prescription smoking cessation medication, like bupropion, you currently need to visit a doctor first for a prescription.
Find more information in how the smoking cessation program works and PharmaCare coverage here.
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I have asthma, how can a pharmacist help me?
B.C. pharmacists work with patients with asthma on how to keep their asthma under control by providing guidance on using inhalers or advice on how to adhere to their oral medication. They also work with patients on how to adopt healthy lifestyle behaviours to manage their asthma.
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What can a pharmacist do to help me manage my diabetes?
Pharmacists can help patients with diabetes by reviewing and advising on medications to help control blood sugar levels and prevent long-term complications, monitor patients’ blood glucose levels and explain trends.
Pharmacists educate patients on how to use blood glucose monitoring devices and blood glucose testing as well as show patients how to safely inject insulin and use other devices. Pharmacists also help counsel patients on diet and exercise and proper foot and wound care.
