Ontario explores expanding responsibilities for pharmacists, but faces pushback from doctors

Ontario has announced it is considering expanding the powers of pharmacists to treat and prescribe for 14 additional common ailments. Health Minister Sylvia Jones made the announcement Wednesday morning in Toronto alongside leaders from the Ontario Pharmacists Association (OPA). The list being considered includes sore throat, calluses and corns, mild headaches, shingles and minor sleep disorders including insomnia.In addition, the province is also exploring allowing pharmacists to order laboratory tests, perform strep throat testing and administer additional vaccines, such as for tetanus, diphtheria, pneumococcal and shingles.“Our government knows local pharmacists are one of the most convenient places for Ontarians to access the healthcare system, with over 5,000 pharmacies operating across Ontario open late nights and on the weekends,” Jones said.Pharmacy technicians could also see an expanded role under the province’s proposal, which includes allowing pharmacy techs to administer vaccines for hepatitis A and B, rabies, meningococcal and human papillomavirus."We are delighted to see the government recognize the immense value of pharmacy-led care," read a social media post from the Neighbourhood Pharmacy Association of Canada reacting to the news. But the province’s plan is already seeing pushback from the Ontario Medical Association (OMA), who say they’re “concerned for patient safety” after this announcement.The OMA notes that pharmacists require far fewer hours of training compared to doctors also cited a report from the Ontario College of Pharmacists indicating concerns over overwork among pharmacists, raising questions as to whether pharmacists can handle the additional responsibilities.Read: Major OCP report reveals what corporate pressures pharmacists say they’re facing really look like“While pharmacists are experts in medication, they are not trained to prescribe and make diagnoses,” the OMA said on X.“We urge the Ontario government to exercise utmost caution with legislation that expands pharmacists' scope of practice beyond current limits in Ontario and Canada.”Since January 2023, pharmacists in Ontario have been allowed to prescribe for 13 common ailments. OPA CEO Justin Bates says the profession is ready for the additional responsibilities, pointing out that pharmacists have so far made more than one million minor ailment assessments.“We have the trust of our patients,” he said at the announcement. “The public wants this access. Pharmacists are ready. They have the education and the expertise and they are good partners within the healthcare system to work with physicians and other healthcare providers.”Bates also said expanding the role of pharmacists can improve collaboration.“I really think this enhances and increases the team-based approach within that Circle of Care by empowering and enabling pharmacists to have this individual and autonomous type of prescribing while working with all of our healthcare providers and partners in the system,” he said.“This is not an all or nothing or zero-sum game as we are partners in the healthcare system.”The full press conference held by the provincial government can be viewed below:

Ontario explores expanding responsibilities for pharmacists, but faces pushback from doctors

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