pharmacists

The scope of practice for Ontario pharmacists continues to expand.

The province is adding six vaccines that they can administer, and another nine ailments that they can assess and prescribe medication for.

Beginning in July 2026, pharmacists will be allowed to administer vaccines for tetanus, pertussis, diphtheria, pneumococcal, RSV, and shingles.

They will also be allowed to treat calluses and corns, dandruff, dry eye, head lice, jock itch, mild headaches, nasal congestion, ringworm and warts.

This brings to 28 the number of common ailments pharmacists can treat.

Health Minister Sylvia Jones says it eliminates the need to visit a doctor’s office or the emergency room.

“This historic expansion of pharmacist scope of practice will improve access to care and reduce pressure on the healthcare system by empowering health professionals to provide care to the full extent of their training and making pharmacies a one-step location for convenient everyday care,” says Jones.

Jones says a further expansion is planned in 2027.

She says they have also directed the regulatory colleges for optometrists, physiotherapists, chiropractors, dental hygienists, denturists, and audiologists and speech-language pathologists to begin developing the framework required to expand their scopes of practice.

“These future expansions will unlock additional capacity across the system by enabling professionals to deliver treatments and perform more procedures, helping people get faster access to care,” says Jones.

According to the province, Ontario pharmacies have conducted over 2.4 million assessments for the first 19 common ailments since their scope of practice was first expanded in 2023.

Over 99% of all Ontario pharmacies participate in the program.