Dalton is doing something I support. New Pharmacist Powers.

[Boges]

Of course it'll be seen as an attack on doctors.

http://www.thestar.c...-flu-shots-meds

Pharmacists can now give flu shots, renew most prescriptions, and prescribe drugs to help quit smoking, says Premier Dalton McGuinty.

McGuinty announced Tuesday that the long-anticipated changes are effective immediately.

“This is good news for families,” the premier told reporter at the University of Toronto’s Leslie Dan School of Pharmacy on College St.

With only one third of Ontarians getting vaccinated against influenza annually, McGuinty said he’s hopeful the change will encourage more people to get the shot.

Pharmacists will be paid $7.50 per injection, which is provided to patients free of charge.

Health Minister Deb Matthews said 600 of Ontario’s 3,500 pharmacies will provide the service this fall and winter with the program expanding in the years ahead.

“We are maximizing the services provided by pharmacists so that Ontarians can receive the care they need safely, quickly and closer to home,” said Matthews.

You run out of prescription anti-allergy medication and you have to go to a GP to get a renewed scrip even though your condition hasn't changed. The doctor charges the government for printing out a piece of paper and signing it.

Or worse he may force you to go see a specialist again to get your scrip renewed because the specialist won't talk to you unless you've first been referred by a GP.

I can see areas where it can be abused (such as with addictive narcotics) but I'm sure safeguards can be put in.

I doubt doctors will play nice with giving up chanced to bill the government for 2 minutes of work though.

Edited October 9, 2012 by Boges

[MiddleClassCentrist]

Pharmacists should be able to prescibe/renew a certain set of medications for non-life threatening situations.

Obviously, narcotics should be excluded.

Flu shots is a move in the right direction.

Renew birth control pills? Makes sense.

Renew blood pressure pills? Makes sense.

Renew recurring medication? yeah. Makes sense.

Doctors seem over burdened and removing the simple yet additional time consuming stuff is a step toward improving our system. It will free up time for more serious issues.

Edited October 9, 2012 by MiddleClassCentrist

[Topaz]

I read online that there may be a small fee to the consumers for this service. True?

[Fletch 27]

GREAT news for Pharmacists... Now they can decide to prescribe Champic over Zyban depending on how much "Spliff" money they get for the manufacturer or Manufacturers rep!