Ontarians can now receive more health services directly from pharmacists including the publicly funded flu shot and getting their prescriptions renewed.
Premier Dalton McGuinty announced the additional services pharmacists can deliver today at the University of Toronto’s Leslie Dan School of Pharmacy.
In addition to giving the flu shot, pharmacists can now also:
- Renew or adapt existing prescriptions
- Prescribe medication to help people quit smoking
- Demonstrate how to use an asthma inhaler or inject insulin
- Support patients who have a chronic disease, such as diabetes, monitor their condition
Expanding the role of highly trained pharmacists is part of the McGuinty government’s Action Plan for Health Care. The plan gives Ontarians better access to family doctors, nurse practitioners and other health care providers, to ensure that health care dollars are spent most efficiently.
QUICK FACTS
- This will be the 13th year the flu shot has been offered in Ontario.
- People (over the age of five) can visit participating local pharmacies starting Oct. 22 where specially trained pharmacists will give them the flu shot as part of Ontario’s Universal Influenza Immunization Program.
- Expanding pharmacist scope of practice was recommended in the Health Action Plan and the Drummond Report.
