Pharmacies can now prescribe COVID-19 treatment
Some big changes are coming to Ontario pharmacies.
Starting Monday, people who recently became infected with COVID-19 won't need to book a doctor's appointment if they want medical treatment.
Instead, they can visit their local pharmacy, if it’s opted in to prescribe Paxlovid.
Frank Perna, who co-owns and runs the Queenstown IDA Drug Mart, said the Sault's five IDA pharmacies will all opt in.
“We’re a great starting point for people,” Perna said.
“If there’s anything that we could do to help in that, I don’t see why we wouldn’t.”
Pharmacies have had Paxlovid for months, but the amount administered has been relatively low.
Pharmacist Jordan Jack, who owns the East End Pharmasave, said that number will soon rise.
He said the easy-access nature of pharmacies will make them the first call when people are looking for Paxlovid. In his mind, it will help the entire health care system and the public.
“Especially for people that are at risk, it’s better to get treatment as soon as you possibly can,” Jack said.
“Things can get bad really, really quick. So by treating with the Paxlovid in the first five days, it certainly improves your ability to get better quickly.”
Even more responsibility is coming to pharmacists, however.
On Jan. 1, they will be able to prescribe medication for 12 additional minor ailments, including dermatitis, hemorrhoids, and conjunctivitis.
“It just shows our versatility,” said Perna, who said this is a natural step for a profession that's continued to expand its responsibilities in recent years.
“You want to try to decrease the burden on the health care system, right? If we can keep someone out of the emergency room for a minor ailment, in itself is a victory.”
The Ontario College of Pharmacists has sent out training to prepare pharmacists for the additional ailments.
But Jack said its information they likely already know.
“In our schooling, we’re trained to treat those 12 minor ailments as well as other things,” he said.
“These ones are basically just things that are a little more common. So a little more that we’ll see in a community pharmacy and you don’t necessarily need a physician to diagnose.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.