Family physician shortages across Canada have been an ongoing issue since the 1990s.
In 2007, to help alleviate the burdens on Family Physicians and improve access to primary care, Alberta granted independent prescription authority to community pharmacists for a broad range of minor ailments, such as acne, herpes, heartburn, hemorrhoids, UTI, strep throat, chlamydia, asthma, pink eye, sleep disorders, muscle pain, Lyme disease, etc. Although the ailments which pharmacists could diagnose varies among provinces, the remaining provinces quickly followed suit.
During Covid-19, community pharmacists became an even more valuable member of the health care team. Family physicians across the country limited their in-person services, but pharmacies were open seven days a week.
At a pharmacy, medical diagnoses are based on patient histories; in other words, pharmacists do not do intrusive physical exams. Pharmacists do not charge the patient for the medical assessment, instead they bill the provincial health plan. With the exception of children and those aged 65+, prescribed medications are generally covered by the patient or private insurance.
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Not everyone is enthusiastic about community pharmacists treating minor ailments. The Ontario Medical Association is particularly worried about patient safety, delayed diagnoses, and misdiagnoses. Others fear that major corporations and pharmacy chains are looking for new opportunities to drive up their profits.
But for the most part, pharmacy-led clinics and the expansion of practice for community pharmacist have been positive:
- Patients are satisfied, especially in areas where there is a lack of Family Physicians.
- Pharmacy-led clinics have led to a decrease in emergency visits for non-emergency cases. In fact, Nova Scotia claimed in 2024 that the introduction of pharmacy-led clinics contributed to a 9% decline in non-urgent visits to the ER.
- Family physicians can concentrate on patients requiring more complex care and treatment.
