Can pharmacists prescribe for Minor Ailments in Ontario, Canada? In short: YES!

As pharmacists become an increasingly important part of the healthcare system in Ontario, it is important to understand their role and how they can help treat minor ailments. 

Table of contents: Can pharmacists prescribe for minor ailments ontario?

1. Exploring the Role of Pharmacists in Ontario’s Healthcare System
2. How Can Pharmacists Help Treat Minor Ailments?
3. Understanding the Benefits of Prescription Authority for Pharmacists in Ontario
4. What Are the Regulations Surrounding Prescribing for Minor Ailments in Ontario?

In Ontario, pharmacists are increasingly being relied upon to provide healthcare services beyond the traditional dispensing of medications.

This is due to their extensive knowledge and training in drug therapy and patient care.  One such service that many pharmacists are now providing is the ability to prescribe for minor ailments. 

Did you know that pharmacists graduate with a 6 years degree that includes a PharmD. That’s a Doctor of Pharmacy!   That’s one hell of an expert! 

This type of prescribing authority and knowledge allows pharmacists to assess and treat common conditions such as urinary tract infections, colds, allergies, skin rashes or other non-complex illnesses without a referral from a physician or nurse practitioner.  There are 19 current minor ailment categories and 14 more to come by the end of 2025!

Pharmacists can also recommend over-the-counter medications when appropriate for these minor ailments.

The benefits of this type of prescribing authority are numerous – it provides patients with quicker access to treatment; it reduces wait times at doctor’s offices; it helps reduce costs associated with unnecessary visits; and most importantly, it increases patient safety by ensuring that proper diagnosis is made before medication is prescribed or recommended for use.  The added bonus, many of these pharmacist prescribed treatments will be covered by public and private insurances. 

Overall this Ontario 2023 initiative has proven successful in helping Ontarians receive timely treatment while reducing overall healthcare costs associated with unnecessary trips back-and forth between physicians offices/hospitals/clinics etc…   We started with 13 minor ailments in January 2023 and increase by October,  6 more were added. 

Ontario pharmacists are authorized to prescribe medications for 19 minor ailments:

• Acne
• Allergic rhinitis
• Aphthous Ulcers (canker sores)
• Candidal stomatitis (oral thrush)
• Conjunctivitis (bacterial, allergic and viral)
• Dermatitis (atopic, eczema, allergic and contact)
• Diaper dermatitis
• Dysmenorrhea
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Hemorrhoids
• Herpes labialis (cold sores)
• Impetigo
• Insect bites and urticaria (hives)
• Tick bites, post-exposure prophylaxis to prevent Lyme disease
• Musculoskeletal sprains and strains
• Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy
• Pinworms and threadworms
• Urinary tract infections (uncomplicated)
• Vulvovaginal candidiasis (yeast infection)

It also serves as an important reminder that pharmacists play an integral role within our healthcare system today – not just through dispensing medication, extending refills and “Med Checks” BUT through providing direct patient care services too!

 

How Can Pharmacists Help Treat Minor Ailments?

Pharmacists are these highly trained professionals who can play an important role in the treatment of minor ailments! ;-))

In Ontario, pharmacists have been authorized to prescribe medications for a variety of minor health issues such as Cold Sores (Herpes Liabialis- a very common ailment), Urinary infections and Allergies. This means that patients can now access medication without having to visit their doctor first.

The advantage of allowing pharmacists to prescribe is that it reduces wait times and makes it easier for people with minor ailments to get the care they need quickly and conveniently. Pharmacists are able to assess symptoms, provide advice on appropriate treatments and offer guidance on how best to manage any side effects or interactions with other medications being taken by the patient.

In addition, pharmacists are also able to provide vaccinations against certain illnesses such as influenza or pneumonia which may be beneficial in helping prevent more serious conditions from developing later down the line. They can also advise on lifestyle changes which may help improve overall health outcomes such as quitting smoking or increasing physical activity levels – something which could prove invaluable if someone is suffering from a chronic condition like diabetes or high blood pressure where lifestyle modifications often form part of successful management strategies.

 

Understanding the Benefits of Prescription Authority for Pharmacists in Ontario

Pharmacists in Ontario just got a serious upgrade. Thanks to new prescribing authority, we can now assess and treat a range of minor ailments without sending you to a doctor first. Think allergies, cold sores, urinary tract infections, and a growing list of everyday issues that don’t always need a trip to the clinic.

What does this mean for patients? Faster care, fewer hours wasted in waiting rooms, and relief that comes sooner rather than later. It also helps cut down on unnecessary healthcare costs, since most of these pharmacy-based visits are covered by insurance or government programs like OHIP+. Plus, let’s be honest—booking with your pharmacist is often easier than hunting down a doctor’s appointment that fits into your schedule.

This change also opens the door for stronger pharmacist-patient relationships. Longer consultations mean more time to talk about not just the prescription in front of you, but also lifestyle tweaks that can improve your health in the long run. That’s something we couldn’t always do under the old rules.

Bottom line: expanded prescribing powers give pharmacists the chance to deliver faster, smarter, and more accessible care—helping bridge the gap between walk-in clinics and specialist visits, while keeping patients healthier and less stressed.

 

What Are the Regulations Surrounding Prescribing for Minor Ailments in Ontario?

In Ontario, pharmacists are able to prescribe medications for 19 minor ailments.     

This is part of a larger effort to make healthcare more accessible in the province. The regulations surrounding prescribing for minor ailments in Ontario are designed to ensure that patients receive safe and effective care while protecting the public from potential harm.

The College of Pharmacists of Ontario (CPO) has established standards that must be met before a pharmacist can prescribe medications for minor ailments. These include completing an accredited program on prescribing practices; demonstrating knowledge about drug interactions; understanding how drugs work in different populations; being knowledgeable about self-care options available for common illnesses; having access to patient records or other resources when needed; maintaining current certification with CPO’s Continuing Professional Development Program (CPDP); and adhering to all applicable laws governing medication use including those related to controlled substances.

Pharmacists must also assess each patient’s condition before providing treatment or making any recommendations regarding over-the-counter products or lifestyle changes that may help manage symptoms associated with the illness being treated. They must also provide appropriate follow up care if necessary, which may involve referring patients back to their primary health care provider if their condition does not improve after initial treatment by the pharmacist has been completed.

Additionally, pharmacists are required by law not only adhere strictly but also document all prescriptions they write according to provincial guidelines set out by CPO’s Prescribing Standard.

 

SEPTEMBER 2025 NEWS!

The Ministry of Health has put forward draft regulation changes that could greatly expand the scope of practice for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in Ontario. If approved, pharmacists would be able to assess and prescribe for 14 additional minor ailments, including:

• Sore throat (acute pharyngitis)
• Calluses and corns
• Mild headache
• Shingles (herpes zoster)
• Acute insomnia
• Fungal nail infections (onychomycosis)
• Swimmer’s ear (otitis externa)
• Head lice (pediculosis)
• Nasal congestion (viral rhinitis, rhinosinusitis)
• Dandruff (seborrheic dermatitis)
• Ringworm (tinea corporis)
• Jock itch (tinea cruris)
• Warts (common and plantar; excluding face and genitals)
• Dry eye (xerophthalmia, dry eye disease)

Other proposed changes include:

• Allowing pharmacists to administer injectable partial opioid agonists and antagonists, such as buprenorphine.
• Expanding the list of vaccines pharmacists can provide.
• Authorizing pharmacy technicians to administer all vaccines listed under Schedule 3 of the Pharmacy Act.
• Permitting pharmacists to order laboratory and point-of-care tests to support prescribing.

The College of Pharmacists will open a 60-day public consultation on these draft regulations, with final decisions scheduled for December 8, 2025. If passed, this would mark one of the largest expansions of pharmacy practice in Ontario to date.

Needless to say but STAY TUNED!