07/11/2008

Prince Edward Island Pharmacists Soon to Get Prescribing Powers

In Prince Edward Island, changes to provincial legislation allowing pharmacists to renew some prescriptions are expected to be passed next month in the legislature.

For patients with consistent medication needs the initiative, which would allow pharmacists to refill prescriptions, could mean time well saved.

Neala Auld, registrar of the P.E.I. Pharmacy Board, points out the current system “puts patients in the very difficult position of having to get a new prescription and wait maybe two or three hours in outpatients for something that easily could be addressed at the pharmacy level." Allowing pharmacists to renew some prescriptions, she says, would be a great convenience for patients, especially for those without a family doctor.

Details of the new legislation are still being worked out. Pharmacists say their prescriptions would only cover a limited time, and the law would not allow for the prescribing of narcotics or tranquilizers.

New Brunswick and Alberta already allow pharmacists limited prescribing powers, and other provinces are considering it.

Further details can be found at: www.cbc.ca.