Minor Ailments: Assessing and Prescribing
Pharmacists in Nova Scotia can assess and prescribe for minor ailments.
WHAT IS A MINOR AILMENT?
A minor ailment is:
- A condition that can be managed with minimal treatment and/or self care strategies
- Usually a short term condition
- Does not require any blood work or lab tests
- Can be managed by pharmacists at the pharmacy
- Not intended to replace regular visits with your pharmacy care provider
A minor ailment can be treated with:
- “At-home” or self-care treatments
- Over-the-counter medication treatments
- Prescription medications
MINOR AILMENTS THAT PHARMACISTS CAN ASSESS AND PRESCRIBE FOR:
GASTROINTESTINAL
- Diarrhea (non-infectious)
- Dyspepsia
- GERD
- Hemorrhoids
- Nausea
HEAD/NOSE/THROAT
- Allergic Rhinitis
- Cough related to COVID-19 (zero cost universal benefit for assessment)
- Headache (mild)
- Oral Thrush
- Oral Ulcers
- Sore Throat
- Dry Eyes
- Allergic or Bacterial Conjunctivitis (pink eye)
REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH
- Dysmenorrhea (menstrual cramps, non-hormonal contraception)
- Emergency Contraception
- Vaginal Candidiasis
DERMATOLOGICAL
- Acne (mild)
- Calluses and Corns
- Cold sores
- Contact and Allergic Dermatitis
- Dandruff
- Eczema (mild to moderate)
- Fungal Infections of the Skin
- Impetigo
- Urticaria (mild)
- Warts (excluding facial and genital)
OTHER
- Herpes Simplex (infrequent)
- Joint Pain (minor)
- Muscle Pain (minor)
- Sleep Disorders (minor)
- Smoking Cessation
- Threadworms and Pinworms
- Xerophthalmia
WHAT HAPPENS DURING AN ASSESSMENT
The pharmacist will explain the process and obtain your consent to complete an assessment.
You will meet with the pharmacist in a private counseling room, usually next to the pharmacy.
Sometimes we may require an appointment, it is best to call ahead
The pharmacist will have a detailed discussion with you to assess your ailment
The pharmacist will ask what medical conditions you have, what medications you take, what kind of symptoms you are having, and how long have you had them.
At this point, the pharmacist will make a recommendation for an over-the-counter medication or a prescription medication.
If the pharmacist believes your condition is more serious, they will refer you to your doctor.
Prescriptions written by a pharmacist can be paid for by both provincial and private drug plans, as long as that medication would normally be a benefit.
There is a fee of $20 for the assessment, whether or not the pharmacist prescribes something.
This service is not yet covered by any provincial or private drug plans.
What happens after the assessment?
If a medication is prescribed during the assessment, the pharmacist will prepare your prescription or you can take the prescription to another pharmacy to be filled.
A follow up plan will be determined based on individualized factors.
The pharmacist then sends notification to your doctor for their records.
If you do not have a doctor, you can be given a copy of the doctor’s notice to keep until you have a doctor.
Will I need to pay to have a minor ailment assessed?
Minor ailment assessments not listed in the universal benefits section carry a fee of $20. If you feel that the assessment is part of a continuation of a previous diagnosis and treatment then this can be discussed on a case by case basis with the pharmacist.
Assessing, prescribing, and administering vaccines
Prior to giving you any injection or vaccine, the pharmacist will conduct an assessment to be sure it is appropriate for you. Sometimes, vaccines or injections require a prescription. In many cases, pharmacists can write the prescription for you.
Vaccines that can be prescribed at the Pharmacy:
- Meningococcal (Bexsero)
- Pneumococcal (Prevnar 20)
- Hepatitis A/B (Havrix, Avaxim, Engerix B, Twinrix)
- Shingles (Shingrix)
- HPV (Gardacil)
- Typhoid Fever (Vivaxim, Vivotif)
- RSV (Arexvy)
Other non-vaccine injections available at the pharmacy include Vitamin B12, injectable contraception, Prolia, and others. Please contact us if you have any questions about eligibility of specific injectable medications. Some may require a prescription from a Physician or Nurse Practitioner.
A service fee for $15 is applicable per injection.
The cost of the medication may or may not be covered by your drug plan.
Travel Health Counseling
The World Health Organization (WHO) advises all travelers to consult a healthcare professional at least four weeks before traveling.
Pharmacists are ideal candidates to provide these consultations. They are accessible, work beyond regular business hours and have the authority to prescribe and administer most of the appropriate vaccinations for your trip. They can also provide you with advise on how to stay healthy during your trip.
Topics that may be covered during a travel health consultation include:
- Travelers’ diarrhrea
- Medications that prevent malaria
- Travel vaccinations (such as hepatitis A and B)
- Traveling at altitude
- General advice on health and safety during travel
- Risks unique to the are of travel
An appointment will be required to provide adequate attention for an individual travel consultation. A service fee of $20 is applicable.