Pharmacists are highly trained, educated and trusted health care professionals. They are the medication experts. Their university curriculum includes training on the assessment and treatment of these minor ailments. The minor ailments program includes mandatory regulations that oversee the scope of what a pharmacist can do.
In addition, all licensed pharmacists will complete mandatory training on the processes and standards they are asked to follow before they can offer you this service.
New Brunswick pharmacists have had the ability to prescribe medications under certain circumstance since 2008. They can already replace, extend and renew some existing prescriptions; issue a new prescription for pre-existing conditions in an emergency situation; alter prescriptions to accommodate special needs; change the drug dosage/formulation and make therapeutic substitutions.
Increased pharmacist involvement will actually help monitor which patients should be referred to physicians instead of patients self-treating indefinitely. This will help reduce the risk for patients.