The provincial government's decision to expand the authority of pharmacists is being met with positive reviews.
The government announced last week that effective March 4, pharmacists in Saskatchewan can now extend refills on medications and provide emergency supplies of prescribed medications. It's also expected pharmacists will be granted the ability to prescribe certain medications for minor ailments in the near future.
Brad Cooper, a pharmacist at the Estevan Pharmasave location, feels the decision should ease some of the strain on the province's overworked health system. Under the old system, anyone needing a prescription would have to go and see their doctor, something that was quite a chore in communities like Estevan where it takes three to four weeks to get an appointment with some physicians.
"It's going to allow for easier access to medications for patients," said Cooper. "A lot of times, especially in communities like Estevan, there is a bit a lapse between medications that have been prescribed and what is needed. This is allowing pharmacists to fill those gaps and provide medications to see people through until they can see their physicians.
"In communities like Estevan, where we are in a doctor shortage, we have a growing, booming community, a lot of times people that are working out in the field can't get in to see the doctor when it might be convenient for them. We are not trying to replace the physician, we are just supplementing what they are doing to take some of the stress off people."
Cooper said last week's announcement was the culmination of a significant amount of work and discussions between the Saskatchewan College of Pharmacists and other involved stakeholders. He added pharmacists began training over one year ago to get ready to offer these new services.
"The groundwork was laid well ahead of time for us to be trained to do it. We were just waiting for the actual legislation and bylaws to be approved and to come through so now that those are in effect we are able to provide the service to our patients."
According to a government press release, the College of Pharmacists will soon launch a public education campaign, including promotion of www.mypharmacistknows.com, a website created to provide additional details on the new role for pharmacists. There are approximately 1,300 pharmacists practising in Saskatchewan.
