Feedback deadline is: November 24, 2025
Summary
The Ministry of Health has announced a series of proposed changes that would expand the scope of practice for pharmacy professionals. As part of this proposal, the Minister of Health has requested that the College draft regulatory amendments to Ontario Regulation 256/24 under the Pharmacy Act, 1991, to enable the proposed expansion of scope of practice for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in Ontario.
Following approval by the Board of Directors, the College is hosting a 60-day open consultation on the draft amendments to the regulation and associated schedules.
Proposed changes
If approved by government, these amendments would:
- authorize pharmacists to assess and prescribe for 14 additional minor ailments including:
- sore throat (acute pharyngitis)
- calluses and corns
- headache (mild)
- shingles (herpes zoster)
- acute insomnia
- fungal nail infections (onychomycosis)
- swimmers’ ear (otitis externa)
- head lice (pediculosis)
- nasal congestion (viral rhinitis, rhinosinusitis)
- dandruff (seborrheic dermatitis)
- ringworm (tinea corporis)
- jock itch (tinea cruris)
- warts (Verrucae – vulgaris, plantar; excluding face and genitals)
- dry eye (xeropthalmia, dry eye disease)
- authorize pharmacists to administer injectable partial opioid agonists and antagonists (specifically, buprenorphine)
- enable pharmacists to provide additional routinely administered vaccines not currently listed in Schedule 3 of Ontario Regulation 256/24 under the Pharmacy Act, 1991
- enable pharmacy technicians to administer all vaccines listed in Schedule 3 of Ontario Regulation 256/24 under the Pharmacy Act, 1991.
The Ministry of Health has also asked the College to collect feedback and provide recommendations on potential laboratory tests and point-of-care tests (POCTs) to support minor ailments assessments. The consultation is limited to tests relevant to the 14 proposed minor ailments included in the proposed regulations. These recommendations will be provided to the MOH as they consider future changes to regulations under the Laboratory and Specimen Collection Centre Licensing Act (LSCCLA) to authorize pharmacy professionals to conduct these activities to support the minor ailments program.
List of potential laboratory tests and point-of-care tests (POCTs) to support minor ailments assessments
| Minor Ailment/Health Condition | Laboratory Test | POCT |
| Acute pharyngitis (sore throat) | Throat swab culture | Rapid strep test |
| Onychomycosis (fungal nail infection) | Nail clipping/scraping for culture and microscopy |
Additional Regulatory Changes Recommended by the College
In addition to housekeeping amendments to ensure consistent and effective regulation of pharmacy practice, another regulation change includes authorizing intern technicians to administer Schedule 3 vaccines.
How You Can Provide Your Input
You are invited to provide feedback by November 24, 2025, at 4 p.m. Before providing feedback, you are encouraged to review the proposed regulatory amendments to Ontario Regulation 256/24 of the Pharmacy Act. A clause-by-clause comparison of the draft regulations is available here.
When reviewing and commenting on the proposed regulation changes and list of tests as outlined above, please also consider and provide feedback on how these changes can be implemented effectively and in accordance with the practice, operational and ethical standards of the profession that promote the delivery of safe, quality and ethical care to patients.
The feedback we receive is published publicly in accordance with our Posting Guidelines.
Next Steps
The input from this consultation will help inform any potential changes to the proposed regulatory amendments prior to submission to the Board for approval in December 2025, and subsequently to the Minister of Health.
Final government approval and confirmation of an implementation date is needed prior to these changes coming into effect.
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Unless you plan on amending the laws so that pharmacists get paid for doing these additional services, I highly doubt the vast majority of PRACTICING pharmacists are entertained by these changes. No one wants more liability risks when they are already swamped doing everything else with no additional tech hours. The system is broken. Simply handing off responsibilities due to a crumbling healthcare system is just going to make the eventual collapse even worse.
Most pharmacies are not well-staffed and have only a pharmacist assistant ot technician on duty with a pharmacist. Enabling pharmacy technicians to administer all vaccines listed in Schedule 3 of Ontario Regulation 256/24 under the Pharmacy Act, 1991, may disorganize the flow
I think working at McDonalds might be less stressful at this point lol
I would prefer us get paid for the services we went to school for. We haven’t had a raise to our paid fee by the governemrnt in 20 years. Have you had a raise in your job. Let the doctors and NP do the prescribing. It’s seems like this is a waste of our time especially since lots of these are already OTC recommendations anyways. How about fees for extensions or our dispensing fee
There is no reason for us to be clipping people’s toenails. Do doctors do that?? Is there potential harm from the provision of topical anti fungals for suspected nail fungus? Also, the community already asks us for counselling on acute insomnia and headaches. The only thing that will come of classifying them as minor ailments is the community expectation for prescriptions to treat such conditions. Please do not give me that headache- I’m happy to help patients and don’t need these minor ailments creating scenarios for pharmacist harassment.
any chance of tying the amount of resources to pharmacies taking on these minor ailments, etc High volume pharmacies without pharmacies are feeling pressure to do it all (injections, methadone, minor ailments). Potential for more errors as pharmacists scramble to accommodate everyone.
While the proposed expansion of pharmacist prescribing for minor ailments can improve access, it must be balanced against the reality that pharmacists are already overloaded with dispensing and clinical responsibilities. Expanding scope without mandated workload adjustments risks burnout and reduced quality of care.
Testing for sore throat at pharmacy is not a viable option and buorenorphine injection as well not a viable thing to do it in the pharmacy as you need proper assessment and require careful investigation
I think we have enough in out plate .
I welcome the additional expanded scope of practice list, but at the same time we need to be compensated well for that . We are lifting from the shoulder of doctors and health system and we are happy to help. Pharmacist rates in Ontario have to be higher and comparable to those in Alberta as we are also prescribing like them. We are HCP working so hard for our patients health and we have to be valued as other HCP who are very well paid by the government. Again Iam as a pharmacist very interested in the prescribing role and I need to be valued same as the other provinces and other HCPs. Thank you
I do NOT agree with this expanded scope. Stop trying to turn us into cheap physicians, we are NOT! Let doctors do their stuff and instead expand scope on med reviews, reconciliations, opinions. Allow therapeutic monitoring.
I would urge caution of including shingles on this list. If mismanaged there is significant risk of pain and disability for months or years. I feel that doesn’t fit the criteria for a minor, self-limited condition. I would also argue that strep throat is similar, unless the exact criteria to allow a pharmacist to prescribe is quite narrow (ie. within 48 hours of symptoms starting). It should be kept in mind that once patients are aware of the criteria, they may not report accurate information in hopes of avoiding an ER visit and getting a minor ailment Rx instead. This may not be within OCP’s authority, but I would appreciate if we could be paid for services we currently do without being reimbursed (eg. B12 injections) in addition to an ever expanding scope.
Sounds like a reasonable plan if executed correctly
Need as much feed back from pharmacist and technicians as possible
Need more time and better pay for connoducting the new test and diagnostics Plus additional training materials and courses work
Need to resource pharmacist and tech time to do the test and diagnose ailments
Pharmacists are more than qualified to prescribe for these conditions and definitely qualified to inject public vaccines on behalf of public health units. These regulations should come into effect without delay.
Sounds like a responsible amendment and would provide better access for patients need ability for fast and effective lab results
Agree
Adding more area for pharmacists to provide consultation, surely, reduces physician workload so they can be available on other section of medical care, however, it puts so much pressure on pharmacist’s duty. More work for the same hours of work and increases risk of reduced patient care. Also, some areas like sore throat and shingles are more advanced than pharmacist’s scope of practice. To my opinion, these can be done perfectly at some special pharmacies like how compounds are treated now.
Remuneration of $19 is far from enough to provide adequate compensation for most minor ailments considering the time it takes to perform these to a level of proper patient care. Many of these additional minor ailments also are for common conditions treated with OTC products and therefore are not worth adding to our scope. Other conditions, leading more often to prescription only products, would be far more valuable for our healthcare system.
Hello, This continued expansion of pharmacist scope focusing on acute ailments is disappointing and frankly a bit ridiculous. We are not trained or qualified to diagnose shingles or insomnia disorders. Benzos? Really? We are not trained to examine ears for otitis externa. These patients need a physician who can do a proper differential diagnosis. The priority should be on chronic care. Why can we not order bloodwork for LFTs? Potassium? Kidney function? There is a huge shortage of family doctors in northern Ontario where I practice. It would be far more beneficial to be able to support patients in their long-term health journey. It is approaching useless to me that I can “prescribe” OTC products for hemorrhoids but cannot support an increasing number of patients with diabetes who have not primary care provider. Being able to manage medications for diabetes and hypertension would be a far better use of our time and education than taking toe-nail clippings. Regards, Amanda
Dear OCP, As a community pharmacist practicing in Ontario, I would like to share my experiences and concerns regarding prescribing for minor ailments. While this expansion of scope has created opportunities to better serve patients, it has also brought significant challenges. Most importantly, pharmacists have not been given additional time or resources to accommodate these services. The same staffing and workload remain, yet expectations have increased. On weekends in particular, when neighboring pharmacists may be unavailable, the burden on a single community pharmacist can be overwhelming. Although I do not feel pressured by my organization, there is strong pressure from the public. Patients often expect us to prescribe for conditions beyond our scope, and when we explain our limitations, some respond with threats or hostility. Many patients misunderstand what pharmacists can and cannot do. For example, L&A county general Hospital, signage indicates that pharmacists can prescribe for tick bite assessments, but this does not reflect the complexity and limitations of such cases. Nurses sometimes direct patients to us without clarifying whether it is within our scope, which places pharmacists in a very difficult position. I believe OCP has an important role to play in addressing these issues. At present, it often feels like OCP’s focus is on protecting the public but not supporting the pharmacists who are members and pay fees. For example, when complaints are made, the process can feel punitive rather than collaborative, as if decisions are predetermined. By contrast, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) is seen by many doctors as both protective and supportive. Pharmacists deserve similar support. My requests are: 1. Public Awareness: OCP should lead efforts to educate the public about the meaning of “minor ailments,” including the limitations of pharmacists’ scope of practice. 2. Support for Pharmacists: OCP should consider how to better support pharmacists when we are faced with unreasonable expectations, threats, or misunderstandings. 3. Complaint Process: OCP should ensure its complaint and discipline processes feel fair, balanced, and focused on resolution, not punishment. At present, pharmacists are spending large amounts of time explaining why we cannot provide certain services. This increases stress, delays patient care, and adds anxiety to already demanding workdays. Pharmacists are healthcare professionals, but we are also human beings. We need the College’s advocacy and support to ensure we can provide safe, effective, and sustainable care for our communities. I am sharing this feedback constructively and in good faith. Please keep this confidential and ensure it does not affect my employment. I hope OCP will take steps to build greater trust with pharmacists by balancing patient protection with genuine support for practitioners.
Adding more responsibilities to pharmacists without addressing fair compensation for their time, training, and liability is not reasonable. It is essential that pharmacists themselves—not just the pharmacies—receive appropriate remuneration for the additional workload and professional risk associated with these expanded duties. Pharmacies must also be better reimbursed for their clinical services to afford hiring clinical pharmacists or increasing pharmacist hours to meet the demands of this significantly expanded scope of practice. Currently, the government pays substantially more for the same medical services when provided by other prescribers, such as physicians or registered nurses. For the sake of patient safety, optimal health outcomes, and to ensure the success and meaningful impact of this scope expansion, the Ontario College of Pharmacists (OCP) should advocate to the Ministry of Health for equitable compensation for pharmacists. The government pays significantly more money for the same medical issues to other prescribers, such as registered nurses or physicians. For the patient’s best outcome, patients’ safety and making this expansion in the pharmacist’s scope of practice successful and meaningful for the public, OCP should advocate to the ministry on that item
The legislation doesn’t go far enough… continuing care of prescription treatment and availability of the pharmacist to modify treatment is necessary to care for all those people that cannot see an MD for over a year… pharmacist should not be limited in their ability to continue existing treatment…. As a retired pharmacist, the amount of people left in a lurch and unable to Even just get a form signed, shows how much the system is in disarray… And yet the government continues to support monopolistic one caregiver models. Pharmacist are the only health professional that you can walk in off the street and have the opportunity to get advice why not facilitate that model even more…. There are many advantages to the Mexican model which some people feel excessive but at this point without able to see an MD …. Pharmacist are still underused.
The legislation doesn’t go far enough… continuing care of prescription treatment and availability of the pharmacist to modify treatment is necessary to care for all those people that cannot see an MD for over a year… pharmacist should not be limited in their ability to continue existing treatment…. As a retired pharmacist, the amount of people left in a lurch and unable to Even just get a form signed, shows how much the system is in disarray… And yet the government continues to support monopolistic one caregiver models. Pharmacist are the only health professional that you can walk in off the street and have the opportunity to get advice why not facilitate that model even more…. There are many advantages to the Mexican model which some people feel excessive but at this point without able to see an MD …. Pharmacist are still underused.
Yes please. It is really helpful to the health system. I am currently a pharmacist at Newfoundland and almost we do all those tasks for our patients. It is very appreciated
It makes zero sense to swab for strep if we can’t prescribe antibiotics to treat strep. We should also be able to inject AND prescribe all vaccines. Just a further strain on the system to see a physician to get the prescription for both scenarios listed above. And why initiating oral contraceptives or treating erectile dysfunction isn’t on this list, I do not know.
Expanding access to OAT, specifically XR buprenorphine is essential – Many RAAM clinics have a number of more stable clients attending for continuation of XR buprenorphine that could be served in a more convenient location at the point of dispensing which would also help to minimize logistics of medication transport.
I fully support these changes. As a former pharmacist, we need to ensure all health professionals are working to the highest level of their practice. This will alleviate stresses on the health care system i from minor ailments.
Why not simply follow the proven models in Alberta and Nova Scotia and have a separate designation for a more expanded and complete scope. Assign it a course which must be completed before the designation and that’s that. This crawl into integrating a further expansive role is not helpful to anyone Make a clear pathway emphasizing patient safety and a more comprehensive role. Help the system.
I do not support these new changes, ESPECIALLY the POCT/laboratory testing and the injecting of partial opioid agonists and antagonists. Some of the new minor ailments I also do not support as I feel doctors are better equipped to actually test and examine patients whereas we’ll be going by what patients say
This is too much. Corporation will try to push us on this. We either need to get paid directly or be put under the government umbrella and be paid OHIP. We are being asked to replace doctors. If I wanted to be one, I would’ve become one. The current list is already enough!
Do not agree to the proposed changes we are already overworked and understaffed. The public expects minor ailments as requirement from pharmacist and demands to be seen immediately. I do not approve injection of sublicade this should be done at specialty pharmacies only. Stop adding services when our pay rate stays the same
Pharmacist or technician do not need an additional responsibility on administering vaccine or providing minor ailments. I think college needs to understand that Pharmacy is not McDonald’s and Please don’t make one. We are underpaid and overworked and do not need unwanted additional responsibilities.
As an injection trained pharmacy technician, I feel it only makes sense to expand our scope to include all schedule 3 vaccines. With the expansion of pharmacists scope, it would reduce their workload and the stresses associated. It is a small portion of the tasks pharmacists do, allowing technicians this would put the technical aspects of injecting where it belongs.
While the proposed expansion of pharmacist prescribing for minor ailments can improve access, it must be balanced against the reality that pharmacists are already overloaded with dispensing and clinical responsibilities. Expanding scope without mandated workload adjustments risks burnout and reduced quality of care. Clear safeguards are also needed to mitigate conflict of interest. Special recognition, credentialing, and training pathways should be established for clinical pharmacists to ensure competence and support system trust. These measures will help realize the benefits while protecting patients and providers alike.
Fantastic idea and should go even further to more minor ailments