At Reddendale Pharmacy in Kingston, Ont., pharmacist Allan D’Souza is ready to hand out more help, and prescriptions, to his customers.
On Thursday, the Ontario government announced in its 2023 budget that pharmacists are being given the power to prescribe new medications come the fall.
Those include for medications that treat
In January, the Ford government started to allow pharmacists to prescribe for 13 of the most common ailments, things like cold sores and insect bites.
D’Souza says the new list shows that there’s confidence the system is working.
"It’s kind of, just showing there’s been a benefit and we can increase that benefit," he says.
D’Souza says it is another tool to help patients and go beyond over-the-counter medications.
"We’ve recently did some renovations, hired new staff in preparation for this,” he says. "There's been new software developed to help pharmacies work with all this, do some of the triage and make sure we’re not missing certain red flags."
The move is in the hopes of easing the burden on hospitals and physicians during a critical doctor's shortage.
Despite pushback from some doctors about the expanded powers, many patients say they feel confident about the decision.
Michael Spencer says that while he has a family physician, he would still use a pharmacist if given the option.
"There are wait lines, and there are people that are usually a lot sicker than I usually am, and if I can reduce the wait times that I can see a doctor…I certainly would."
Pharmacists will now have to balance more patient care, filling prescriptions and giving out COVID-19 and flu shots, but D’Souza says they are ready.
"We’re figuring it out and it’s a welcome challenge to have," he says.
The Bank of Canada raised its overnight rate by 25 basis points to 4.75 per cent on Wednesday, its first increase since pausing hikes in January.
Poor air quality is forecast to persist into the weekend across parts of Ontario, as plumes of wildfire smoke blanket the province and prompt school boards to limit outdoor activities.
One of the architects of the law that governs Canada's prison system says it's understandable people want revenge on killer and serial rapist Paul Bernardo, but that's not what the prison system is designed for.
Being a 'sleep procrastinator' might not only make you grumpy the next day, it can put your health at risk. A sleep expert shares tips for making sure bedtime is shut-eye time.
Prince Harry was back in the witness box at the High Court in London on Wednesday for a second day of grilling over his allegations that British tabloids targeted him with phone-hacking and other unlawful behaviour.
Wildfires currently burning across parts of Canada are some of the most severe ever witnessed, and experts say the 'unprecedented' fire season will become the new normal. CTVNews.ca wants to hear from Canadians with questions about wildfires, including their health impacts and how to stay safe.
Personal finance contributor Christopher Liew explains how First Home Savings Accounts work, who’s eligible for the program, and outlines the contribution rules.
With 415 active wildfires across the country as of Tuesday afternoon, and 238 were considered out of control, it has meant long hours for people working at the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre trying to figure out where firefighters and equipment are needed most at any given time.
During a record-setting wildfire season, experts say prevention of more disasters is important, citing a Canada-wide fire service could help mitigate blazes.
Halifax media outlets were given a tour of the neighbourhoods hardest hit by the Tantallon wildfire Tuesday afternoon and saw firsthand the damage and destruction left behind.
A record-size wildfire in Shelburne County, N.S., isn’t likely to move if conditions don't change, officials say.
As many as 100,000 Nova Scotians may have had sensitive personal information stolen in a global privacy breach affecting a file transfer system used by the provincial government, officials confirmed Tuesday.
The air quality in Toronto has become so polluted due to forest fires in Quebec and Ontario that strenuous outdoor activities could leave you coughing and with an itchy throat.
Ontario’s political leaders reacted with surprise that the OPP told a widow whose husband was run over and killed by a speeding officer that the misconduct in the case was 'not serious.'
Ontario Provincial Police say they are investigating the circumstances around a crash on Highway 404 in North York that claimed the life of a 23-year-old international student.
One of the architects of the law that governs Canada's prison system says it's understandable people want revenge on killer and serial rapist Paul Bernardo, but that's not what the prison system is designed for.
Montreal police (SPVM) are investigating a case of suspected arson after a nail salon in Westmount caught fire early Wednesday morning.
Poor air quality is forecast to persist into the weekend across parts of Ontario, as plumes of wildfire smoke blanket the province and prompt school boards to limit outdoor activities.
A dog has been shot dead by police after three people were attacked in Burlington Tuesday afternoon, police say.
While firefighters get more forest fires under control in northern Ontario, travel restrictions declared under an emergency order are being expanded in several communities, including immediate evacuation orders for an area west of Sudbury.
Two lucky lottery ticket holders in British Columbia and Ontario will split the $70 million Lotto Max jackpot.
The Bank of Canada raised its overnight rate by 25 basis points to 4.75 per cent on Wednesday, its first increase since pausing hikes in January.
As wildfires continue to burn in Northern Ontario and Quebec, a special air quality statement has been issued for London and surrounding areas.
An 18 year old from Kitchener, Ont. is facing stunt driving charges after OPP clocked them allegedly speeding 150 km/h because they were 'trying to get to Grand Bend.'
A section of Main Street is closed on Wednesday morning following a car crash in the area.
Some students at an elementary school in the St. James-Assiniboia School Division will be receiving 30 minutes of religious teaching next year after the board of trustees passed a bylaw Tuesday evening.
Manitoba's Crown-owned vehicle insurance corporation offered more details Tuesday on recent turmoil that has seen the departure of senior executives and a big jump in the cost of technology upgrades.
A haze is lingering in the air and there’s a faint smell of smoke in areas across southwestern Ontario as wildfires continue to burn in Quebec and northern Ontario.
The plan to build what would be the tallest towers in Kitchener came under the scrutiny of those who would be living nearby.
The search for Amber Ellis, a Hagersville woman reported missing in March 2021, is returning to the community where she was last seen.
At least one person is in life-threatening condition following a crash on Highway 2 south of the city, officials have confirmed.
It's going to get hot in Calgary and several other communities, Environment and Climate Change Canada is warning.
The Bank of Canada raised its overnight rate by 25 basis points to 4.75 per cent on Wednesday, its first increase since pausing hikes in January.
A willingness to hire newcomers to Canada has brought new business to Nestor’s Bakery.
The Bank of Canada raised its overnight rate by 25 basis points to 4.75 per cent on Wednesday, its first increase since pausing hikes in January.
While Saskatoon Tribal Council (STC) publicly mulled moving its downtown emergency shelter to a location on 20th Street near the city's core, city documents reveal the wellness centre's present Fairhaven area location was heavily favoured early in the process.
The man who was killed during a robbery in Forest Heights on Monday was shot, an autopsy has confirmed.
An RCMP helicopter is assisting with the search for the 14-year-old boy who went missing in the North Saskatchewan River nearly 48 hours ago.
Culture change. Those two words best describe what the Edmonton Elks wanted to accomplish going into the 2023 season.
The officials tasked with preparing for and responding to natural disasters in the province are bracing for widespread evacuations of B.C. communities amid tinder-dry conditions that are already prompting dire wildfire predictions.
Visitors will be able to legally drink booze in some Burnaby parks starting June 23, as city councillors voted in favour of an alcohol in parks pilot project on Monday.
The chair of the Vancouver Park Board says he has received several complaints since expanded hours at Second Beach Pool went away.
The trial for the man accused of his brother’s death resumed on Tuesday morning, with the accused appearing in court by video.
The Bank of Canada raised its overnight rate by 25 basis points to 4.75 per cent on Wednesday, its first increase since pausing hikes in January.
Regina’s Aaron Higgins will compete at the 2023 Special Olympics World Games in Berlin, Germany at the end of the month in powerlifting.
