David Eby and the BC NDP have made a big difference in healthcare by giving pharmacists more authority. They can now extend prescriptions, provide emergency supplies, and prescribe medications for minor ailments. This change has already helped many people, and the recent announcement to expand these powers even further is great news.
Making Healthcare Easier to Access
Pharmacists can now extend prescriptions for up to two years, prescribe for 21 different minor ailments, and give injections. This means people can get the care they need more easily, without long waits in emergency rooms. For example, many people go to their local pharmacy for conditions like UTIs or shingles flare ups, which pharmacists can treat quickly. This reduces the pressure on emergency services and ensures patients get timely care.
Some doctors worry that pharmacists might not have the expertise to assess and prescribe medications. However, pharmacists receive extra training for these new roles. They follow strict guidelines, communicate with patients’ primary care providers, and refer patients to doctors if needed. This ensures patients get high-quality care, often more thorough than a quick telehealth consultation.
David Eby’s recent announcement to let pharmacists test for and treat conditions like strep throat and UTIs is a smart move. It recognizes the important role pharmacists play in healthcare and uses their skills to provide more points of care. This isn’t just about giving pharmacists more responsibilities; it’s about making healthcare more accessible and efficient for everyone.
Minor Ailments and Expanded Scope
The Minor Ailments and Contraceptive Services (MACS) program has been key to this expansion. Here are some conditions pharmacists can now manage and the drugs they can prescribe:
| Minor Ailment | Drugs a Pharmacist Can Prescribe |
|---|---|
| Acne | Topical drugs |
| Allergic rhinitis | Intranasal drugs, ophthalmic drugs, oral antihistamines |
| Conjunctivitis | Ophthalmic drugs |
| Dermatitis | Topical drugs |
| Dysmenorrhea | NSAIDs |
| Dyspepsia | Gastric acid-reducing drugs |
| Fungal infections | Topical drugs |
| GERD | Gastric acid-reducing drugs |
| Headache | NSAIDs |
| Hemorrhoids | Topical drugs |
| Herpes labialis | Topical antiviral drugs |
| Impetigo | Topical drugs |
| Musculoskeletal pain | NSAIDs |
| Nicotine dependence | Nicotine cessation drugs |
| Oral ulcers | Topical drugs |
| Oropharyngeal candidiasis | Antifungal drugs |
| Shingles | Antiviral drugs |
| Threadworms and pinworms | Anthelmintic drugs |
| UTI (uncomplicated) | Antibiotic drugs |
| Urticaria | Topical and oral antihistamines |
| Vaginal candidiasis | Antifungal drugs |
| Contraception | Drugs specified in Schedule I |
This list shows the wide range of conditions pharmacists can now handle, making it easier for patients to get the care they need. They can use their clinical judgement, along with established protocols, to prescribe medications.
Success of the MACS Program
The MACS program has been very successful:
- Over 431,000 MACS were conducted.
- More than 312,000 patients received MACS.
- Over 1,400 pharmacies provided MACS, representing 92% of community pharmacies.
- More than 4,000 pharmacists provided MACS, which is about 61% of licensed B.C. pharmacists or 77% of active community pharmacists.
The most common MACS assessments were for:
| Assessment | % of Services |
|---|---|
| Contraception | 20% |
| Urinary tract infection (uncomplicated) | 20% |
| Conjunctivitis | 9% |
| Allergic rhinitis | 7% |
| Herpes labialis (cold sore) | 6% |
| Dermatitis | 6% |
These numbers show that expanding pharmacists’ roles is working and helping people get quality healthcare. By providing more points of care, the BC NDP is ensuring patients receive timely and effective treatment, reducing the strain on other parts of the healthcare system.
Expanding pharmacists’ roles has already led to more people getting the services and medications they need in situations where they might not have otherwise, such as if their doctor was not available or they ran out of medication.
The data show the significant impact of expanding pharmacists’ roles. More people are getting the medications and services they need, leading to better health outcomes and more efficient healthcare.
Emergency Supplies and Prescription Adaptations
In BC, pharmacists can provide emergency supplies of medication and adapt existing prescriptions when it’s clinically appropriate and in the patient’s best interests. An adaptation can involve:
- Changing the instructions: Modifying how the medication should be taken.
- Adjusting the dosage: Altering the amount of medication to be taken.
- Changing the formulation: Switching the form of the medication (e.g., from a tablet to a liquid).
- Renewing a prescription: Extending the duration of an existing prescription.
- Therapeutic substitution: Replacing the prescribed medication with another drug in the same class that is expected to have the same clinical effect.
These adaptations ensure patients continue to receive the medications they need without unnecessary delays, contributing to better health outcomes and more efficient healthcare delivery.
- Adaptations and Emergency Fills by Pharmacists:
- Monthly average claims (Oct. 2021 – Sept. 2022): 27,222
- Monthly claims (October 2023): 65,293
- Change: +140%
- “Directions for use” modified: +63%
- Dosage changed: +78%
- Formulation changed: +135%
- Prescription renewed: +146%
- Therapeutic substitution: +111%
- Monthly average claims (Oct. 2021 – Sept. 2022): 119,902
- Monthly claims (October 2023): 120,437
- Change: +0%
- Monthly Clinical Services by Type:
- Total drug administrations (Oct. 14, 2022 – Oct. 31, 2023): 246,951
In conclusion, expanding pharmacists’ roles is clearly in the best interests of patients. We should be utilizing healthcare providers to the fullest extent of their training, and this is a step closer to that. These services are helping people who might not otherwise have access to the healthcare system, ensuring they receive timely and effective care and taking strain off of other areas of the healthcare system.
This move by the BC NDP has already made a huge difference, and Premier David Eby’s commitment to it is a crucial step towards a more accessible and efficient healthcare system, benefiting countless individuals across the province.