Pharmacists can now assess for additional minor ailments and prescribe you medication. All you need is your health card. Come see us for mild acne, cold sores, insect bites, pink eye and many other common conditions.
As one of the most accessible healthcare providers in Ontario, you can count on your local pharmacy team to keep you healthy and safe in every neighbourhood across the province.
*Available at participating pharmacies when appropriate to your health and symptom presentation
The Wait is Over
See your pharmacist today.
Your local pharmacist has the expertise to manage a variety of minor ailments in the community close to where you work, live and play.
As of October 1, 2023, Ontario pharmacists are permitted to assess and prescribe medication for 19 medical conditions. This means you can get the care you need sooner and closer to home.
See your local pharmacist to assess and treat any of these minor ailments:
- Urinary tract infections (UTI)
- Conjunctivitis (pinkeye)
- Herpes labialis (cold sores)
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) (acid reflux)
- Allergic rhinitis (nasal allergies)
- Candidal stomatitis (oral thrush)
- Insect bites and urticaria (hives)
- Dermatitis (atopic, eczema, allergic and contact)
- Dysmenorrhea (e.g. menstrual cramps)
- Hemorrhoids
- Impetigo (skin infection)
- Tick bites (post-exposure prophylaxis to prevent Lyme disease)
- Sprains and strains
- Acne (mild)
- Aphthous ulcers (canker sores)
- Diaper dermatitis
- Vulvovaginal candidiasis (yeast infection)
- Pinworms and threadworms
- Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy
- Go to a pharmacy
- Get assessed
- Manage your health
*Contact your pharmacy team to determine the best way to access care based on your needs.
How it Works
Contact your pharmacy team to determine the best way to access care based on your needs. Get assessed and, when appropriate, treated on the spot or with treatment delivered to your doorstep.
Drop by when it's convenient for you. Many local pharmacies open early and stay open late.
You won't be charged out of pocket for this publicly funded service - but make sure to bring your valid Ontario health card!
Help is Around the Corner
Pharmacy professionals are highly accessible healthcare providers practicing in community healthcare hubs across Ontario.
More than 9 out of 10 people live within 5 kilometres of a pharmacy. We help people in every region of the province including rural and remote areas manage their health in a safe, effective and convenient way.
Now, we are stepping up to take on an even larger role assessing and prescribing medication for minor ailments.
Improving access to frontline healthcare services through pharmacies benefits individual patients - but it goes much further. Ontario's entire health system also benefits. It will reduce demand on hospitals, emergency departments, walk-in clinics and family physicians. It will also free up time for our healthcare partners, allowing doctors, nurses and other health providers to focus on more complex care cases.
We're glad to do more to keep Ontario healthy.
Ready for you, on the frontlines
When it comes to providing patients with top-quality healthcare, pharmacy professionals in Ontario have proven we're up to the task. We're fiercely proud of how we've helped Ontario patients fight COVID-19.
Throughout the pandemic, pharmacies have remained open and accessible to provide reliable frontline care to patients. Pharmacy professionals across Ontario have administered over 10 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines and delivered almost 1 million publicly funded COVID-19 PCR tests.
You can count on a local pharmacist to provide the same kind of expertise, understanding and dedication to help you manage minor ailments.
