B.C. pharmacists to renew, issue prescriptions as part of reworked health plan

British Columbia is expanding the power of pharmacists to renew and issue prescriptions as part of a wide-ranging strategy to relieve pressure on family doctors and emergency departments.

Pharmacists will be able to administer more vaccines and renew prescriptions for people who have lost their family doctors starting Oct. 14.

Next spring, they will begin prescribing drugs for minor ailments like urinary tract infections, allergies and indigestion, meaning patients won’t have to visit a doctor first.

The changes bring B.C. in line with other provinces.

The government says renewing prescriptions for patients without family doctors would be at the discretion of the pharmacist, who would also have the option of connecting with a doctor by phone or sending the patient for a medical assessment.

(Image credit: Province of B.C.)

The move comes amid an ongoing crisis in health care that has seen emergency department closures due to staffing shortages and long wait times to see specialists, while about one in five residents don’t have a family doctor.

The province will also fund 128 new seats to train doctors at the University of B.C.,  and allow paramedics and first responders to better assist and treat people.

(Image credit: Province of B.C.)

The Canadian Press