Sask. Pharmacists benefit from more prescriptive powers under the new agreement

Pharmacists in Saskatchewan now have more power to prescribe drugs for minor ailments.

The approximately 1,700 pharmacists in the province can now administer influenza vaccines to more age groups.

This is part of a new one – year agreement between the provincial government and the Pharmacy Association of Saskatchewan.

The Ministry of Health has expanded its prescribing services in recent years as part of its minor care program.

As of November 1, this list will include 10 new minor ailments and personal care including simple urinary tract infections in women, hormonal and emergency contraceptives, erectile dysfunction and stopping smoking. .

The list of new ailments and conditions also includes conjunctivitis (pink eye), shingles, onychomycosis (fungal nail infection), influenza and obesity.

Under the new agreement, pharmacists in Saskatchewan will be compensated in total for 25 minor illnesses and conditions.

At the same time, pharmacists in the province are now funded to administer influenza vaccines to children aged five to eight and to people living in personal care homes and badisted living apartments.

This change took effect on October 22nd.

Previously, pharmacists could only administer influenza vaccines to people nine years of age and older.

"The agreement will help community pharmacies maintain exceptional service for patients, while absorbing increased operating expenses," said Paul Bazin, president of the Pharmacists' Association, in a statement. communicated.

The new agreement also establishes a new Injection Administration Pricing Program that will compensate pharmacists for the injection of a long-acting birth control medication.

The dispensing fees for pharmacists in Saskatchewan will also increase by 20 cents to $ 11.60.