Prescription for medication

Family Doctors or Nurse Practitioners

If you need to renew a prescription or have a medical issue that you think requires a prescription, call your family doctor or nurse practitioner.

Pharmacists

As of October 1, 2023, Ontario pharmacists are authorized to prescribe medications for 19 minor ailments that include:

  • Acne
  • Allergic rhinitis
  • Aphthous Ulcers (canker sores)
  • Candidal stomatitis (oral thrush)
  • Conjunctivitis (Pink eye)
  • Dermatitis (atopic, eczema, allergic and contact)
  • Diaper dermatitis (rash)
  • Dysmenorrhea (Menstrual pain)
  • Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
  • Hemorrhoids
  • Herpes labialis (cold sores)
  • Impetigo
  • Insect bites and urticaria (hives)
  • Tick bites, post-exposure prophylaxis to prevent Lyme disease
  • Musculoskeletal sprains and strains
  • Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy
  • Pinworms and threadworms
  • Urinary tract infections (uncomplicated)
  • Vulvovaginal candidiasis (yeast infection)

Minor ailments are described as health conditions that can be managed with minimal treatment and/or self-care strategies. Additional criteria include:

  • 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

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