Come Canada Day, Ontario pharmacists could begin offering expanded services

Ontario pharmacists may be allowed to begin offering more services as early as July 1, according to the Ontario Pharmacists Association. “We’re hopeful for a July 1 implementation,” Justin Bates, CEO of the Ontario Pharmacists Association, told the Canadian Healthcare Network in an interview. First floated by the Ontario government in July 2024 and more formally announced in September 2025, the changes under discussions would let pharmacists treat at least 14 more minor ailments—including sore throat, shingles and swimmer’s ear—on top of the 19 conditions they can already assess and prescribe for in Ontario.But Bates said the timeline depends on several moving parts, including the Ontario College of Pharmacists considering new safeguards for pharmacies offering these expanded services, like mandatory private counselling rooms. “We’re not entirely sure how long that’s going to take, or whether it will be phased in,” Bates said. “Our preference would be to implement those safeguards by a certain date, rather than holding up the implementation of the scope of practice. We think that can happen in parallel and be sequenced appropriately.”He said the provincial government appears motivated to get the changes in place before the fall respiratory illness season, when pharmacists could play a larger role in vaccination and rapid access to care.“I believe that they are targeting July 1 for implementation,” Bates said.Still, one major component may not make the cut: Bates said if Ontario opts to allow pharmacists to use rapid antigen tests for strep throat, additional laboratory confirmation may be required. That in turn would mean regulatory changes to allow pharmacists to order and interpret those tests.“That may not be implemented until the following year, depending on how long that process takes,” he said.At minimum, Bates said he expects the adult vaccine package and most minor ailment services to be available by Oct. 1 if the July target is missed.“It’s really important we get these things in place before October,” he said.The Ontario College of Pharmacists is also consulting on additional areas of practice, including treatment for swimmer’s ear, shingles and the administration of Sublocade.Bates said the association is not opposed to extra training requirements but does not want them to become a barrier. “We believe that pharmacists have the competency to do this safely, now.” The expansion comes as the OPA continues to push the government on reimbursement issues. Bates said the province’s dispensing fee has not increased in more than 12 years and has failed to keep pace with inflation.“We need to have at least a $2.20 increase to catch up, and then it should be from that point forward indexed to the CPI [Consumer Price Index],” he said, adding the association has proposed phasing in increases over four years, beginning with a 50-cent bump.He said the fee remains the “lifeline” of community pharmacy operations and often subsidizes other underfunded services like renewals and adaptations. The association is also lobbying Ontario to fund more pharmacy-led primary care services, with Bates arguing that the province’s new primary care reform funding presents “a unique opportunity” for community pharmacies to play a bigger role in the healthcare system. He pointed to models in places like Nova Scotia, where pharmacy-led clinics have shown early signs of reducing emergency department visits and hospital pressures.For now however, Bates said pharmacists and patients alike are eager to see Ontario move quickly.“I think both pharmacists and patients are ready and want to get this over the finish line.”

Come Canada Day, Ontario pharmacists could begin offering expanded services

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