Pharmacists' Prescribing Powers In New Brunswick

New Brunswick pharmacists can prescribe medication for a variety of health conditions, often referred to as minor ailments. This includes conditions such as cold sores, fungal infections, nicotine dependency, and urinary tract infections. Pharmacists can also administer certain publicly funded vaccines to eligible residents of New Brunswick. The expansion of pharmacist responsibilities in New Brunswick is intended to reduce the strain on the healthcare system and emergency rooms, providing easier access to primary care for residents.

Prescribe medication for minor ailments

In New Brunswick, pharmacists can prescribe medication for a variety of health conditions, often referred to as minor ailments. These services are available to eligible New Brunswick residents with no service fee. However, it is worth noting that not all pharmacists or pharmacies are mandated to offer services for every minor ailment. It is always advisable to check with your local pharmacist to determine the specific services they provide.

Pharmacists in New Brunswick are qualified to assess and prescribe medication for certain minor ailments, alleviating the pressure on emergency rooms and after-hours clinics. This means that for less serious medical conditions that do not require lab or blood tests, you can conveniently seek treatment from a pharmacist without having to wait at an emergency room.

The range of minor ailments that New Brunswick pharmacists can assess and prescribe medication for includes:

• Allergic Rhinitis (hay fever)
• Conjunctivitis (allergic and bacterial)
• Contact Allergic Dermatitis (allergic skin rash)
• Dysmenorrhea (pre-menstrual and menstrual pain)
• Dyspepsia (indigestion)
• Emergency Contraception
• Fungal Infections of the Skin
• Gastro-esophageal Reflux (heartburn) Disease
• Herpes Simplex (cold sores)
• Herpes Zoster (shingles)
• Mild to Moderate Eczema
• Mild Urticaria (hives, bug bites and stings)
• Minor Sleep Disorders
• Non-infectious Diarrhea
• Oral Fungal Infection (thrush)
• Oral Ulcers (canker sores)
• Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)
• Threadworms and Pinworms
• Upper respiratory tract conditions (cough, nasal congestion and discharge, sore throat, fever, malaise)
• Urinary Tract Infection (uncomplicated)
• Vaginal Candidiasis (yeast infection)
• Warts (excluding facial and genital)
• Xerophthalmia (dry eyes)

In addition to prescribing medication, New Brunswick pharmacists can also administer certain publicly funded vaccines to eligible residents. They can provide guidance and recommendations for over-the-counter medications or prescription medications, always prioritising your health and referring you to a doctor if they believe your condition requires more extensive medical attention.

Administer publicly funded vaccines

New Brunswick pharmacists can administer certain publicly funded vaccines to eligible residents of the province. To be eligible, you must be a resident of New Brunswick with a valid NB Medicare card, not residing in a nursing home or correctional facility.

The vaccines that pharmacists are funded to provide include:

• Measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (chickenpox) (MMRV) vaccine
• Meningococcal Conjugate - C Vaccine
• Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine Prevnar® 13
• Pneumococcal polysaccharide 23-valent (Pneu-P-23) vaccine
• Seasonal Influenza Vaccine
• FluMist Influenza Vaccine
• Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis (Tdap) Vaccine
• Tetanus and Diphtheria (Td) Vaccine

It is important to note that not all pharmacies or pharmacists may offer these services, so it is recommended to check with your local pharmacist. Additionally, appointments may be required for these services.

Public Health nurses also play a crucial role in administering vaccines to eligible individuals based on the province's criteria and schedule. They provide immunizations to infants, children, and adolescents, ensuring that they receive the necessary protection against vaccine-preventable diseases.

Provide prescription renewals

New Brunswick pharmacists can provide prescription renewals for eligible New Brunswick residents with no service fee. This service is part of an effort to reduce the strain on the healthcare system and bridge the primary-care gap in the province, which has almost 40,000 people on its waitlists.

Pharmacists can renew any medication as long as they deem there is no need for extensive testing and assessment. The length of the renewal can be as long as the original prescription, and there is no cost to the patient. This change means that patients who previously had to pay a $20 to $25 fee for a prescription renewal no longer have to do so. Additionally, those with a primary-care provider do not have to prove that it is an emergency.

The prescription can be filled at the pharmacy of the patient's choice. This service is especially beneficial for those who get anxious about renewing their prescriptions due to not having a primary-care provider or their provider being unavailable.

It is important to note that not all pharmacies in New Brunswick are required to offer these services, so it is recommended to check with your local pharmacist to find out if they provide prescription renewal services.

Offer contraception management

Pharmacists in New Brunswick can prescribe hormonal contraception, including birth control pills, vaginal rings, transdermal patches, and medroxyprogesterone acetate, a progestin-containing injection administered every three months. They can also prescribe long-acting reversible contraception (LARC), such as an intrauterine device (IUD) or intrauterine system (IUS), in collaboration with a primary care physician who can schedule the insertion procedure.

To be eligible for this service, patients must be New Brunswick residents aged 12 to 50 with a valid NB Medicare card, have a menstrual cycle without unusual changes, and not be pregnant, breastfeeding, or within six weeks postpartum. They must also not reside in a nursing home.

The pharmacist will conduct a comprehensive in-person assessment, including obtaining the patient's social and medical history and measuring their blood pressure. They will discuss all appropriate options, including those they cannot prescribe, and refer the patient to another healthcare provider if they prefer a medication the pharmacist cannot prescribe. If medication is prescribed, the pharmacist will schedule a follow-up assessment to monitor safety and efficacy and notify the patient's primary care provider. The prescription must be filled on the same day as the assessment.

This service is provided at no cost for eligible residents, covering up to one initial assessment and two follow-up assessments per year. However, the program does not cover dispensing fees, injection fees, or the cost of the prescribed medication.

Prescribe preventative vaccinations

New Brunswick pharmacists can prescribe preventative vaccinations to eligible residents. These include publicly funded vaccines, such as the HPV cervical cancer prevention vaccine and the shingles vaccine. They can also prescribe vaccinations for travel.

Pharmacists can prescribe preventative treatments, such as Evusheld, a COVID-19 preventive treatment, and Paxlovid, a COVID-19 treatment for people with mild to moderate symptoms.

Pharmacists are able to assess and prescribe medication for a variety of health conditions, often referred to as minor ailments. These include:

• Prescription renewal
• Acne (mild)
• Cold sores
• Conjunctivitis
• Contact allergic dermatitis
• Contraception management
• Coronavirus (COVID-19) drug therapy (Paxlovid)
• Eczema (mild to moderate)
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Impetigo
• Shingles
• Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
• Tick bites

Pharmacists can also provide Point of Care Testing and prescribing for Group A Strep (strep throat) and chronic disease management for diabetes, COPD, asthma, and cardiovascular disease.

It is important to note that not all pharmacies or pharmacists offer the same services, and appointments may be required. To be eligible for these services, individuals must be residents of New Brunswick with a valid NB Medicare card, not residing in a nursing or correctional facility.

Frequently asked questions