Pharmacists in Nova Scotia can assess and prescribe for 31 minor ailments. They are:
- Dyspepsia (indigestion)
- Gastro-esophageal Reflux Disease (acid reflux, heartburn)
- Nausea
- Non-infectious Diarrhea
- Hemorrhoids
- Allergic Rhinitis (seasonal allergies, hay fever)
- Cough
- Nasal Congestion
- Sore Throat
- Mild Headache
- Minor Muscle Pain
- Minor Joint Pain
- Minor Sleep Disorders
- Dysmenorrhea (menstrual cramps)
- Emergency Contraception
- Xerophthalmia (dry eyes)
- Oral Ulcers
- Oral Fungal Infection (thrush)
- Fungal Infections of the Skin (such as Athlete’s Foot)
- Vaginal Candidiasis (yeast infection)
- Threadworms and Pinworms
- Herpes Simplex (cold sores)
- Contact Allergic Dermatitis (skin reaction from coming into contact with an allergy)
- Mild Acne
- Mild to Moderate Eczema
- Mild Urticaria (including bites and stings) (hives)
- Impetigo
- Dandruff
- Calluses and Corns
- Warts (excluding facial and genital)
- Smoking Cessation
To find a pharmacy near you that provides this service, click here.
Fees and availability of service vary by pharmacy.
Minor Ailments Brochure: Link
Report: Evaluation of the Provision of Minor Ailment Services in the Pharmacy Setting Pilot Study - Executive Summary - Link
Article: Having a Minor Ailment Doesn't Have to Be a Major Problem
Pharmacists were pretty excited when legislation passed in Nova Scotia that gave them the authority to assess and prescribe for Minor Ailments. Pharmacists thought their patients would be pleased as well. In keeping with the true nature of pharmacists, the Pharmacy Association of Nova Scotia decided to find out for sure and conducted a study.
First you may ask, what is a Minor Ailment. A Minor Ailment is a health condition that can be managed with minimal treatment and/or self care strategies. In Nova Scotia, pharmacists can assess and prescribe for 31 of these. These ailments include cold sores, heartburn and hay fever.
The study, conducted last summer, took place in 27 pharmacies across the province. The pharmacies represented rural and urban communities equally. Independent and big corporations were represented equally. What we discovered was very heartening.
When participating patients were surveyed, 99 percent said they would use the Minor Ailments service again. Almost all said the service was beneficial and gave them access to health care sooner.
In a province with an aging population and challenges accessing primary health care providers, patients clearly saw the value in seeking help from their community pharmacist for Minor Ailments.
"Not having a family doctor would normally make me not seek treatment," said one patient. "Now that I have the option of a pharmacist prescribing for minor ailments, I can get the help and relief I need while the doctors can focus their time and energy on more serious patients with life threatening issues."
Patients valued the speed in which they could be seen by the pharmacist.
"If I had to go to the ER for this minor problem, I would have sat and waited 4-6 hours at least," said another patient.
Patients valued being able to see a pharmacist close to their home.
"My doctor has next week appointments and is a 30 minute drive away," said a third patient.
Now that pharmacists have the authority to assess and prescribe for these Minor Ailments, patients can have the right healthcare professional address the right condition at the right time.
Minor Ailment Assessments and Prescribing are just two of the convenient services your pharmacist can provide. Your pharmacist is an expert on medications and their effects on the body. We encourage you to take advantage of their expertise.
March is Pharmacist Awareness Month in Canada. Each week your pharmacy will be spotlighting a different pharmacy service they provide. Watch for special events that will be taking place in your community pharmacy during the month of March.
Remember, if you have a minor ailment, it's not a major problem. The pharmacist is in.
