05/11/2008

Authority to Prescribe Certain Drugs Granted to New Brunswick Pharmacists

As of October 29th, pharmacists in New Brunswick will be able to prescribe certain drugs without referring patients to a doctor or outpatient clinic.

Changes to the Pharmacy Act will allow pharmacists to renew some existing prescriptions, or issue a new prescription for pre-existing conditions such as allergies. However, pharmacists’ authority to prescribe drugs will not extend to narcotics or nerve medications.

New Brunswick Pharmacists' Association president Dennis Abud said the changes will mean quicker access to medications for many patients.

"Right now they're already coming into our pharmacy and having prescriptions with no refills, and we have to send them either to outpatients or to an after hours clinic. Now the patient will be able to wait here at the pharmacy and get their prescription," he said.

Alberta has had similar legislation for more than a year, while British Columbia, Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia are talking about doing the same.

For further details, please visit the New Brunswick Pharmacists’ Association website at: www.nbpharma.ca.