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A smiling pharmacist behind a counter gestures toward flu medicine while a young boy points at it and stands beside a woman, likely his mother, in a pharmacy labeled "Minor Pharmacy Clinic.

Can a pharmacist charge a fee for minor ailment assessments if I don’t have OHIP?

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A smiling pharmacist behind a counter gestures toward flu medicine while a young boy points at it and stands beside a woman, likely his mother, in a pharmacy labeled "Minor Pharmacy Clinic.

 

Ontario’s Minor Ailments Program is a publicly funded service. That means if you have a valid Ontario health card (OHIP) or another recognized Ontario health number, your pharmacist’s assessment and prescribing for eligible minor ailments is covered by the Ministry of Health.

But here’s the catch:

  • If you don’t have OHIP or another Ontario health number, you are not considered an “eligible person.”

  • If you’ve already exceeded the plan maximums for a specific ailment within the past 365 days, the Ministry will also not reimburse the pharmacy for another assessment.

What Happens if You’re Not Covered?

In these situations, pharmacists can still provide the service—but it won’t be billed to the Ministry. Instead, the visit becomes a private pay service. According to the Ontario College of Pharmacists (OCP) Policy, pharmacies may charge a fee for services that are not covered by government funding or that go beyond the usual and customary dispensing fee.

Our Approach at MisterPharmacist™

We believe in keeping things transparent. If a service isn’t covered publicly, we’ll let you know upfront:

  • You’ll always be told what the fee is for before the assessment begins.

  • Fees are kept reasonable and reflect the value of the service provided.   As of September 2025, the fee is $25 Canadian Dollars

  • You’ll get the same quality of care and follow-up as any other patient—coverage status does not affect our commitment to your health.

Insurance and Reimbursement

If you have private insurance or health benefits from another province or country, check with your provider. Some plans may reimburse you for out-of-pocket healthcare services in Ontario. If you need documentation, we’ll provide a detailed invoice or receipt to help with reimbursement.

Final Word

Your care always comes first. Even if the Ministry of Health cannot cover your visit, MisterPharmacist can still provide an assessment and treatment plan, with fees explained clearly before we start. Our goal is to make your experience as seamless, professional, and worry-free as possible.

 

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