B.C. pharmacists call on province to allow them to prescribe medications amid doctor shortage
Pharmacists are calling for the B.C. government to allow them to prescribe medication for minor ailments, especially as the province's doctor shortage continues to impact nearly a million residents.
In Alberta, pharmacists are already allowed to prescribe certain medications, such as drugs for cold sores or urinary tract infections. A similar system is also coming to Ontario.
Yoshi Ito, a pharmacist at the People's Pharmacy in Colwood, B.C., says it makes sense for pharmacists to be able to do the same here.
The solution would cut down on some of the long wait times the province is seeing for doctors, he says.
"The B.C. pharmacy association has been advocating, for years, for its members to be able to prescribe for minor conditions," said Ito.
"It's also been pushing for them to renew many more medications than they're currently allowed," he said.
Currently, pharmacists in B.C. are not allowed to prescribe medicine. However, they can renew certain prescriptions before they expire as long as that prescription has remained stable for approximately six months.
Most prescriptions generally expire after one year. Following that, a doctor needs to renew the prescription, though in emergencies pharmacists can step in and offer limited amounts of prescribed drugs.
CTV News reached out to the Ministry of Health asking if the ministry was thinking about following the lead of other provinces.
In a statement, the ministry said it would be focusing on optimizing what pharmacists can currently do, rather than expanding their responsibilities – meaning pharmacists won't be able to prescribe new meds in B.C. anytime soon.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.