Manitoba pharmacists will soon have ability to prescribe birth control, HIV medications

Pharmacists in Manitoba will soon have the ability to prescribe birth control, marking a significant expansion of their scope of practice. Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara announced this unexpected development, stating that allowing pharmacists to assess and prescribe contraceptives is a logical step forward for the province.

The implementation of this new policy is expected to take place in the coming days and weeks, with plans to also allow pharmacists to prescribe HIV medications starting this summer. Manitoba, Ontario, and the three territories are currently the only regions in Canada where pharmacists do not have the authority to prescribe birth control. Emergency contraceptives like the Plan B pill are already available without a prescription from pharmacies.

Asagwara emphasized the importance of granting pharmacists the ability to practice at their full scope, noting that this change has been long overdue. The government is committed to further expanding pharmacists’ prescribing authority in the future.

Pharmacists Manitoba, the industry association representing pharmacists in the province, welcomed this change with enthusiasm. Pharmacy practice adviser Britt Kural expressed her surprise and delight at the announcement, highlighting the potential impact on patient care and access to contraceptives.

Currently, patients in Manitoba must visit a doctor or nurse practitioner to obtain a prescription for birth control before visiting a pharmacist to pick up their medication. With this regulatory change, patients will no longer need to see a healthcare provider before getting their birth control from a pharmacist, making the process more convenient and efficient.

Kemlin Nembhard, executive director of the Women’s Health Clinic, praised the decision to make prescription birth control more accessible, especially for individuals without a family doctor or young people concerned about confidentiality. While the clinic offers a free birth control program, Nembhard noted that additional support from the province would be beneficial in ensuring access to contraceptives for all who need them.

Looking ahead, Manitoba pharmacists are eager to further expand their prescribing authority to include treatments for minor ailments like strep throat, ear infections, and cold sores. This would require additional regulatory changes, but pharmacists are hopeful that these advancements will improve patient care and accessibility to essential medications.