The Vital Role of Pharmacists in Treating Minor Ailments
The Role of the Pharmacist in Patient Care
In the last decade, I’ve had the opportunity to work closely with pharmacists in Canada and around the world. To me, it’s very clear that having a pharmacist as part of my care team is crucial to my health and I do my best to shout it from the rooftops to make sure people are aware!
What I have learned over the years, which has also been proven by research, is that pharmacists are the most trusted, accessible, and visited healthcare professionals in the world, and yet many people perceive them solely as someone counting pills and dispensing medication. As a result, pharmacists are often not top of mind when it comes to seeking medical advice.
You may have heard the story of local Ottawa radio celebrity Stu Swhartz, who was looking to purchase vitamin D at his local pharmacy. After explaining his symptoms to the pharmacist, she immediately told him to go to the ER. After some tests he was diagnosed with Leukemia, which he subsequently beat. He has publicly thanked his pharmacist several times and credits her for saving his life!
The skills of pharmacists in primary care include:
- The provision of direct patient care through management of medications
- Examination and screening
- Chronic disease management
- Drug information and education
- Collaboration and liaison with your doctor and care team
- Quality assurance
- Research
Although the scope of practice varies from province to province, pharmacists across the country can assess minor ailment symptoms and recommend self-care or over-the-counter treatments. They can also provide the following:
- Offer advice
- Propose and initiate treatment for contraceptive and minor ailments
- Renew or extend a prescription
- Adjust the dosing and provide alternate medication
- Help you or your loved one manage various chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, obesity and even help with smoking cessation
Did you know that pharmacists are also immunization specialists? When it comes to administering flu shots, travel vaccines, and even COVID vaccines, pharmacists play an important role in helping to alleviate some of the burdens on our healthcare system. Their role is expected to expand next year when British Columbia and Ontario expand pharmacists’ scope of practice in 2023.
That means that more Canadians won’t have to wait weeks for a doctor appointment or spend countless hours in a hospital emergency room or walk-in clinic to get the care they need. To help make this process as easy as possible, people can look up their symptoms on medimap.ca and find out if they can be treated by a local pharmacist. From there they can find and book an appointment in a few easy steps with a pharmacy in their community.
Without making this article too long and complicated it’s important to understand the definition of a minor ailment, which is described as a health condition that can be managed with minimal treatment and/or self-care strategies.
- Usually a short-term condition
- Lab results aren’t usually required
- Low risk of treatment masking underlying conditions
- No medication or medical history red flags that could suggest a more serious condition
- Only minimal or short-term follow-up is required
Ok, so what are some examples of minor ailments?
- Allergies
- Oral thrush
- Pink Eye (bacterial, allergic and viral)
- Dermatitis (atopic, eczema, allergic and contact)
- Painful menstruation
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Hemorrhoids
- Cold sores
- Skin infections
- Insect bites and urticaria (hives)
- Tick bites, post-exposure prophylaxis to prevent Lyme disease
- Musculoskeletal sprains and strains
- Urinary tract infections (uncomplicated)
While this list is not comprehensive, this chart provides an overview of minor ailments and prescribing authority across Canada.
The next time something doesn’t feel quite right (and is not an emergency), do yourself a favour and speak to your pharmacist. The knowledge and skills our country’s pharmacists have to offer are invaluable and could end up saving your life.
Want to read more from our leadership team? Check out “How Does the Canadian Healthcare System Work?”
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About the author
Michel Gaudette
Michel is the Vice President of Partnerships and Business Development at Medimap. Michel spent the last 25 years in the healthcare industry, gaining a deep understanding of the complex challenges and opportunities of the field.
Working with plan sponsors, healthcare providers and patients. He has been known to build strong lasting business relationships, which has been instrumental to his success and continued drive to make a positive impact on the industry.