N.S. pharmacists to be able to write prescriptions for minor ailments

HALIFAX - Nova Scotia has approved regulations that will allow pharmacists to do a lot more for their patients.
For the first time, pharmacists in the province will be able to write prescriptions independently for minor ailments.
The new rules also will loosen the strict conditions that pharmacists face in changing existing prescriptions.
Although the province approved the new regulations this week, Nova Scotians won't see any changes at the pharmacy counter for some time.
Susan Wedlake, registrar of the Nova Scotia College of Pharmacists, said Wednesday the changes will only take effect once some standards of practice are in place.
If a prescription has been changed, the pharmacist must inform the prescribing doctor.
Only doctors, dentists, nurse practitioners, some optometrists and midwives now have the authority to prescribe medications in Nova Scotia.
Pharmacists will be able to prescribe only for minor conditions, Wedlake emphasized. A specific list of those conditions will be drawn up as part of the work on the standards of practice.
As for existing prescriptions, pharmacists already have the power to extend them, but only in emergency situations and under strict conditions, Wedlake said.
For example, the refills are only good for 30 days. That time limit will be removed under the new regime.
"Pharmacists will be freed up to exercise their professional judgment a bit more," Wedlake said. "The pharmacist must (consider), if that physician were here, (whether) they would most likely renew this drug therapy."
As well, pharmacists will be able to prescribe "behind the counter" drugs, in order to have the cost of the drug covered by the patient's health insurance.
"These new regulations will ensure that Nova Scotians can get the medicines they need even if they can't get to their doctor right away," Health Minister Maureen MacDonald said in a news release Wednesday.
The changes will help relieve the huge demands on the health system, Wedlake said.
"It's placed a lot more pressure on pharmacists to utilize their knowledge and skills in the area of drug therapy," she said.
The College of Physicians and Surgeons welcomed the expansion of the pharmacists' role.
"This is an excellent example of how collaboration among health professions can better serve the needs of patients without compromising safety," said Dr. Cameron Little, the college's registrar and CEO, in the news release.