Minor illnesses (also known as minor ailments) are typically “common” or “uncomplicated” conditions that resolve for most individuals with minimal intervention that may include over-the-counter medications, self-care strategies or in some cases, prescription treatment.

Examples of minor illnesses include urinary tract infection, cold sores, skin rashes, heartburn, acne, allergies and many more.

Pharmacists in BC have been given the authorizations to prescribe for the following minor ailments:

*Please note that the decision to provide a minor ailment assessment is at the discretion of the Pharmacist.

Acne

Allergic Rhinitis (Allergy Symptoms)

Conjunctivitis (Pink eye)

Dermatitis (Eczema)

Dysmenorrhea (Painful Menstrual Cramps)

Dyspepsia (Indigestion, stomach pain, and other gastrointestinal symptoms)

Fungal infections (onychomycosis, tinea corporis infection, tinea cruris infection or tinea pedis infection)

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (Heartburn, Reflux etc.)

Headache

Hemorrhoids

Herpes labialis (Cold sores)

Impetigo

Oral Ulcers (canker sores, aphthous ulcers)

Oropharyngeal candidiasis (Thrush)

Musculoskeletal pain (Muscle pain)

Shingles

Nicotine dependence (Smoking cessation)

Threadworms or pinworms

Uncomplicated urinary tract infection (bladder infection)

Urticaria, including insect bites (Hives)

Vaginal candidiasis (Yeast Infection)

Pharmacists will also be able to prescribe contraceptives.

Pharmacists can assess your minor illness and accompanying symptoms, and determine the best course of therapy. Upon assessment, your Pharmacist may write a prescription for the minor illness, suggest suitable over-the-counter medications, and/or provide you with self-care strategies to help you manage your condition.

In the case that a condition requires a therapeutic intervention outside of the scope of a Pharmacist, your Pharmacist may refer you to another healthcare professional or recommend an alternative course of action.

No, minor ailments are conditions that can be readily diagnosed without the need for laboratory or imaging tests.

To access minor illness assessment services, you can call your preferred pharmacy location. Most of our locations also offer convenient walk-in services (wait times apply) during store hours.

At Heart Pharmacy, we aim to provide our patients with accessible, high quality care. Patients will be asked a few screening questions and provided with some general information about the service to help our team better understand your condition and help you to decide if the service meets your needs.

The pharmacist will:

• Sit down with you and ask you questions about your medical history and medications.

• Document information about your medical history and current condition

• Give you time to ask questions

• Provide you with follow up care instructions

This service:

• Is covered for BC residents

• May or may not result in a prescription

• May or may not result in a referral to another healthcare provider

After a minor illness assessment, the Pharmacist will advise you on how to best manage the illness. The Pharmacist may prescribe a medication, recommend an over-the-counter treatment option, recommend self-care strategies, or refer you to a Physician for further assessment.

*Should the Pharmacist deem it appropriate to prescribe a medication for your minor illness, you will be given the option to fill the prescription at any of our locations or at the pharmacy of your choice.

As the most accessible healthcare providers in the community, Pharmacists play a crucial role in delivering essential care. Their ability to assess and support patients with minor illnesses can improve timely access to primary care, particularly for individuals without a regular family doctor.

Pharmacists already make recommendations and prescribe for various conditions in other provinces. For example, Pharmacists have been prescribing for minor ailments in Alberta since 2007.

This service is being funded by the Ministry of Health for BC Residents.

Pharmacists, have a minimum of 5 years of university training, and are medication experts. Research has shown that when Pharmacists work in healthcare teams:

• Patient care improves significantly

• There are fewer unnecessary emergency department visits

• Hospitalizations caused by medication-related issues are reduced

Pharmacists are already authorized to prescribe in 9 out of the 13 Canadian provinces and territories. We’ve seen in these other provinces a decrease in wait time for healthcare services and improved health outcomes. For a comprehensive comparison of Pharmacists' prescribing scope of practice across Canada, please click here.