Surrey pharmacist Richard Fung says he is “ecstatic” now that pharmacists in B.C. can write prescriptions for contraceptives and 21 minor ailments such acne, pink eye, shingles and uncomplicated urinary tract infections.
Fung, a resident of Sullivan Heights, is from the U.K., where pharmacists have been able to prescribe since 2003. He says he has seen firsthand the benefits of pharmacists being able to prescribe. Fung told the Now-Leader that the changes that came into effect Thursday (June 1) will be a “game changer.”
“We already know our health-care system was overwhelmed with overcapacity issues, so I think with pharmacists being able to prescribe minor ailments, it’s gonna really help alleviate a lot of strain that our health-care system is experiencing right now,” Fung said.
“A minor ailment is described as a common or an uncomplicated uncomplicated health condition, that most patients can actually resolve themselves, or have maybe an assessment or guidance from a pharmacist, and in some cases that we can prescribe a prescription for them,” Fung added.
B.C. residents with a personal health number can visit pharmacies in person or call to schedule an appointment to access the new service. Starting June 29, British Columbians can also book appointments online.
Fung, a franchise owner for Shoppers Drug Mart at Central City Mall who runs the pharmacy at the Jim Pattison Outpatient Centre, added that pharmacists must complete a module by the College of Pharmacists of BC before they can prescribe.
Other changes allowed pharmacists to adapt and renew prescriptions for a wider range of drugs and conditions.
These minor ailments include:
-With files from The Canadian Press
anna.burns@surreynowleader.com
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