Pharmacists in Ontario are authorized to prescribe certain drugs for treating specific minor ailments listed in Schedule 4 of O. Reg. 256/24 under the Pharmacy Act, 1991. The minor ailments currently listed in the regulations are:
- Acne (mild)
- Allergic rhinitis
- Aphthous Ulcers (canker sores)
- Candidal stomatitis (oral thrush)
- Conjunctivitis (bacterial, allergic, or viral)
- Dermatitis (atopic/eczema, allergic, or contact)
- Diaper dermatitis
- Dysmenorrhea
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Hemorrhoids
- Herpes labialis (cold sores)
- Impetigo
- Insect bites and urticaria (hives)
- Tick bites, post-exposure prophylaxis to prevent Lyme disease
- Musculoskeletal sprains and strains
- Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy
- Pinworms and threadworms
- Urinary tract infections (uncomplicated)
- Vulvovaginal candidiasis (yeast infection)
Minor ailments are health conditional that can be managed with minimal treatment and/or self-care strategies. Additional criteria include:
- Usually a short-term condition
- Lab results aren’t usually required
- Low risk of treatment masking underlying conditions
- No medication or medical history red flags that could suggest a more serious condition
- Only minimal or short-term follow-up is required
Minor Ailments Resources for Pharmacists
It is the expectation of the College that pharmacists understand their ethical, legal and professional obligations and that they possess the required knowledge, clinical skills, and judgment to safely assess and prescribe medications for minor ailments.
The following resources are available to help pharmacists assess and prescribe for minor ailments safely and with confidence.
Mandatory Orientation for Minor Ailments Prescribing Module
To support understanding of this scope of practice change, all Part A pharmacists must complete the Minor Ailments Prescribing Module before engaging in prescribing for minor ailments. There is no cost to pharmacists for completing this module.
Clinical-based Continuing Education
In addition to having a thorough understanding of the legislative requirements of prescribing for minor ailments, pharmacists may also support their practice with clinical-based continuing education. As a reminder, it is a requirement of the College’s Quality Assurance Program that pharmacists participate in continuing professional development and maintain a learning portfolio.
With respect to minor ailments prescribing, this means the College expects pharmacists will have identified any learning opportunities and completed clinical education programs to enable them to safely and confidently prescribe for minor ailments before engaging in this expanded scope activity.
Below is a non-exhaustive list of online continuous education courses related to minor ailments.
- Ontario Minor Ailments Prescribing – Original 13 (PharmAchieve)
- Ontario Minor Ailments Prescribing – Additional 6 (PharmAchieve)
- Ontario Minor Ailments Prescribing – Complete 19 (PharmAchieve)
- Prescribing for Minor Ailments – Additional 6 (OPA)
- Prescribing for Minor Ailments – Full 19 Conditions (OPA)
- Navigating Minor Ailments (HealtheLearning)
Treatment and Assessment Algorithms
- Assessment & Prescribing for Antibiotic Prophylaxis to Prevent Lyme Disease Following a Tick Bite English | French
- Assessment and Treatment Algorithm: Assessment & Prescribing for Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infection (Cystitis) English | French
The College acknowledges the Canadian Pharmacists Association for developing algorithms for the other minor ailments. These are available on the the Canadian Pharmacists Association’s website (a paid subscription to CPS is required to access this content). The How to Find Algorithms and Drug Tables infographic provides instructions in English and French on how to quickly access the algorithms and drug tables that feature a trillium to indicate drugs that are eligible for minor ailments prescribing in Ontario.
Please note, at this time expert clinical opinion advises against prescribing high-potency topical corticosteroids and ophthalmic fluoroquinolones as part of the minor ailments expanded scope, and as such, they are not marked as eligible.
Pharmacists may choose to use clinical algorithms from other relevant sources that enable them to provide safe and effective patient care.
Clinical Viewers
Ontario Health offers pharmacies 24/7 access to patient care information at no cost, through one of two provincial clinical viewers (ConnectingOntario and ClinicalConnect) designated by region.
The viewers provide a complete history for monitoring progress of treatments, supporting chronic disease and medication management, and the delivery of Ministry of Health pharmacy programs such as MedsCheck and Pharmaceutical Opinions. The dynamic, near real-time view of patients’ health information, including laboratory test results and dispensed medications filled via Ontario Public Drug Programs (OPDP), enhances clinical decision-making and helps improve patient outcomes. For more information, visit our clinical viewers webpage.