Overview

• Ontario plans to allow pharmacists to assess and treat additional minor ailments, including sore throat, mild headaches, and shingles.
• The proposed expansion includes the ability for pharmacists to administer more vaccines, such as tetanus, diphtheria, and shingles.
• Doctors argue that pharmacists lack the extensive training required to diagnose and treat conditions that may appear minor but could be serious.
• Pharmacists see the expansion as a way to reduce the strain on family doctors and emergency rooms by leveraging their professional expertise.
• The Ontario Ministry of Health is seeking public feedback on the proposal until October 20, 2024.