Pharmacists offering more access for minor ailments

Do you struggle to get timely access to health-care services for minor ailments and health needs for yourself or your family?

Did you know that you can now see your local pharmacist for advice and treatment, including prescribing, where appropriate, for a wide variety of minor ailments including conjunctivitis (pink eye), shingles, uncomplicated urinary tract infections and more?

In addition, pharmacists can now provide assessments and write prescriptions as needed for hormonal contraception, all as a result of changes recently announced by the provincial government that have given pharmacists across Newfoundland and Labrador an expanded scope of practice.

And for the first time, a number of these assessments are now available to Newfoundlanders at no cost for anyone who has a valid Medical Care Plan (MCP) card. Pharmacists can also now write prescription renewals for up to 12 months – previously the maximum was 90 days – again, with no extra fee for the patient.

Christina Tulk is a pharmacist and owner of Shoppers Drug Mart at the Millbrook Mall in Corner Brook.

“These changes are great news for pharmacists across the province but also great news for anyone in Newfoundland and Labrador who hasn't been able to easily access health care when they need it – whether they are without a family doctor or live in a community with more limited services. Instead of waiting for hours to be seen at a walk-in clinic or emergency department, patients can now see their local neighbourhood pharmacist about a wide range of uncomplicated conditions,” Tulk said.

The number of conditions and health needs that pharmacists across the province can treat has expanded to more than 30, with coverage by Medicare for assessment of 11 conditions, as well as prescription renewals.

Pharmacists are one of the most accessible health-care practitioners in Newfoundland and Labrador, with pharmacies located in almost all parts of the province and many stores that are open late even on weekends.

Tulk notes patients at Shoppers Drug Mart can selfbook an appointment online at a time that is convenient for them at www.shoppersdrugmart.ca.

The website also lists minor ailments a pharmacist can assess, and walks a patient through the symptoms that typically go along with each of these ailments. It also indicates if the assessment is covered or if a fee will be charged to see the pharmacist for treatment.

These changes are already helping to ease stress on patients.

“Over the past month-plus we've seen an added sense of relief from patients. They know that if they go in to their local pharmacy they can have many health-care needs looked after then and there,” says Tulk.

“Over time, this change is also going to help us meet the current challenges of our over-burdened health-care system, by practicing to our full scope, and working even more collaboratively as part of a larger health-care team.”

Pharmacists in Newfoundland are already qualified to meet the expectations and demands of the recently announced expanded scope of practice and are a trusted and integral part of the public health system.

“I got into this profession over 20 years ago to be able to help my community and my patients. I now have more opportunity to do that every day and to develop even stronger relationships with my patients along the way. It's a good feeling,” Tulk says.