Ontario Expands Pharmacists’ Roles Amid Health Care Pressures

In a significant shift in health care policy, Ontario is poised to expand the roles of pharmacists, allowing them to administer a wider range of vaccines and prescribe for an increased number of minor ailments. This decision, announced by the provincial government, aims to alleviate pressures on primary care and emergency services.

Mitchell Zorzit, a pharmacist and owner of two Shoppers Drug Mart locations in Sault Ste. Marie, expressed optimism about the changes. He noted that the COVID-19 pandemic had already prepared pharmacists to adapt quickly to new responsibilities. “The COVID-19 crisis kind of prepped us for our ability to upgrade our abilities to take on more responsibility within the health-care institution,” he said during an interview with The Sault Star.

Under the proposed changes, pharmacists will be authorized to provide additional publicly funded vaccines, including those for RSV, pertussis, tetanus, diphtheria, and shingles. They will also be able to assess and prescribe treatments for 14 additional minor ailments, such as sore throats, fungal nail infections, head lice, and warts. In 2023, Zorzit praised the province’s prior expansion of prescription powers, which added six ailments to the existing list of 13.

Zorzit emphasized that this expansion would seamlessly integrate into existing workflows. “We’ll review our staffing levels, staff up if there is more demand, and be able to provide more seamless care,” he explained. The Ontario College of Pharmacists is currently developing the regulatory framework to implement these changes.

Sylvia Jones, Ontario’s Health Minister, stated that expanding the scope of practice for health professionals would help ease the burden on other areas of the health system, particularly primary care. While this initiative has received support from many in the pharmacy sector, it has also faced criticism.

The Ontario Medical Association expressed concerns regarding patient safety, arguing that allowing non-physicians to perform complex procedures or prescribe potent medications could pose risks. “Physicians train for years to assess, diagnose, and manage care,” the association stated, cautioning against an expansion of practice without adequate physician involvement.

Zorzit acknowledged these concerns but highlighted the rigorous training pharmacists undergo. According to the Ontario Pharmacists Association, becoming a pharmacist requires at least five years of university education, including a four-year professional pharmacy degree. This training incorporates extensive clinical skills and therapeutic knowledge, ensuring that pharmacists are well-equipped to manage patient care.

The proposed changes also include empowering other health professionals. Psychologists with advanced education may soon have the authority to prescribe medications for mental health conditions. Additionally, regulations are being considered that would allow denturists and chiropodists to order and operate X-ray machines, while dental hygienists might be granted similar powers.

Zorzit believes that these expanded duties will enhance patient care, especially in light of the growing number of Ontarians without a primary care provider. The Sault Area Hospital has recently cut funded physician coverage hours in its emergency department, which has resulted in a 15 percent decrease in available care. Such reductions add pressure to an already strained system, particularly as many emergency visits are for minor ailments.

“If this frees up physicians to focus on more complicated cases, then patients can receive care more quickly,” Zorzit said. He emphasized that the changes will not only benefit pharmacists but will also improve patient outcomes in a healthcare landscape that is increasingly under strain.

As Ontario moves forward with these proposals, the government is seeking feedback from various stakeholders to ensure that the implementation is effective and safe. The conversation around expanding the role of pharmacists and other health professionals reflects a broader trend in healthcare aimed at maximizing resources in a challenging environment.