ELIGIBLE DRUGS
Yes. Pharmacists can only prescribe a drug listed in Column 3 of Schedule 4 for the respective minor ailment, even if it is in a combination product. Each drug found in the combination must be listed in Schedule 4; this was taken into consideration when the proposed regulations were submitted to the Ministry.
No. Pharmacists are only authorized to prescribe the specified drugs listed in Column 3. Also note that since expert clinical opinion advises against prescribing high-potency topical corticosteroids and ophthalmic fluoroquinolones for their respective minor ailments, these agents are not listed in Column 3
At the time the medications associated with the minor ailments were being identified, there was an interest in using drug categories to provide flexibility in prescribing the most up-to-date medications according to the most recent evidence and available treatment. To accommodate this, Schedule 4 listed the minor ailments and the corresponding drugs which could be prescribed using the American Hospital Formulary Service (AHFS) Pharmacologic-Therapeutic Classification.
Due to potential concerns raised with acquiring a license to utilize the AHFS classification system, which is a proprietary product, the College submitted drug lists for all minor ailments as part of these amendments. However, the College would investigate options for drug categories, should the opportunity arise in the future.
At this time, only the specified drugs listed in schedule 4 can be prescribed by a pharmacist for the respective Minor Ailment. This also means that to add new drugs to the list, the regulatory amendment process must be undertaken.