Starting this week, British Columbians will have easier access to prescriptions for certain minor ailments and contraception.
Effective June 1, pharmacies across the province will be able to write prescriptions for things such as acne, dermatitis, fungal and bacterial infections, shingles and other ailments.
The expanded power of pharmacists to renew and issue some prescriptions was announced in September 2022 in an effort to relieve pressure on the province’s struggling healthcare system.
In October, pharmacists were able to administer more vaccines and renew prescriptions for up to a two-year period for people whose family doctor had retired or left their practices.
“We know that people are facing real challenges right now and there is much more work to do, and this strategy will guide our next steps in building a strong, resilient public healthcare system now and in the future,” said Minister of Health Adrian Dix, when the initiative was announced.
The Minor Ailments and Contraception Service (MACS) only applies to specific conditions and pharmacists will only be able to prescribe from a pre-approved list of medications.
A full list of medications has yet to be released, however, a list of the examples of medications that can be available through a pharmacist is available here.
The province says each pharmacy must be enrolled as a PharmaCare provider, which most are, and patients must be resident of BC, have a valid personal health number, not be covered under PharmaCare Plan B (usually for long-term care patients) and must have a clinical need for the medication.
“MACS is provided through a private in-person visit during which the pharmacist conducts a comprehensive assessment and offers clinical advice and treatment for minor ailments and/or contraception needs,” says the province.
“The pharmacist may prescribe medications, offer non-prescription medications, make non-pharmacological recommendations, and/or advise the patient to seek medical attention from a physician or other health care professional.”
In addition to the medications for minor ailments, pharmacists will be able to prescribe contraception and emergency contraception, both of which became free on April 1.
More information from the province is expected to be released in the coming days.
