New pharmacy regulations: Prescriptions for minor ailments, contraceptions and renewals

Fort Royal Pharmacy, with their professional staff, quick and efficient service, they strive to provide the best customer service to all their clients. They are ready to renew a prescription, make changes to an existing one, provide an emergency supply of medication, and to check the medications you are taking to make sure they're the best ones for you. Whatever your medications needs, they are here to make the process easier and smoother for you.

WHAT CAN THEIR PHARMACIST DO FOR YOU?

Some of the things their pharmacist can help you with include:

• Provide an emergency supply of medication

• Provide vaccines, such as COVID-19, flu, shingles, pneumonia, HPV, tetanus, and more

• Renew a prescription for up to 2 years

• Review your medications to make sure they’re the best ones for you • Advise and make changes to your existing prescriptions that may not be working best for you

• Help you quit smoking and provide access to free smoking cessation products

• Provide you with emergency contraception

• Advise on over- the- counter medications and how they can impact your health

WHAT ABOUT PRESCRIBING FOR MINOR AILMENTS AND CONTRACEPTION?

Starting June 1, 2023, pharmacists in BC will have the authority to make a diagnosis and prescribe medications specified in Schedule I of the Drug Schedules Regulation, for minor ailments and contraception. These minor ailments include uncomplicated urinary tract infections ( UTIs), cold sores, acne, pink eye, allergies, rashes, acid reflux, asthma, and more. Come and talk to any of our pharmacists to get more information.

WHAT ABOUT PRESCRIPTION RENEWALS?

In BC, pharmacists have been able to renew prescriptions, alter dosages and dispense substitute drugs to enhance patient outcomes. Today, pharmacists can now do this for a wider range of medications and renew most prescriptions for up to two years from the original prescription date if the prescription has not expired.

Generally, this means a patient has been on their medication for at least six months with no changes. For example, diabetes, thyroid issues, and high blood pressure ( hypertension). Prescriptions for cancer chemotherapy agents cannot be changed or renewed by a pharmacist.

Come into any of their locations and talk to their pharmacist for more information. Serving the community of Greater Victoria for over 10-years, Fort Royal Pharmacy have 3 locations to serve you. They provide Free Delivery, Free Medication Reviews, Free Blister Packaging and many other services at all their locations.