Saskatchewan Pharmacists Break New Ground in Canada with First Minor Ailment Assessment Fee

Abstract

Saskatchewan has become the first province in Canada to compensate pharmacists for prescribing medications for treatment of patients' minor ailments. The Pharmacists' Association of Saskatchewan (PAS) recently announced it had successfully negotiated a minor ailment assessment fee under the province's drug benefit plan. The fee, which took effect February 1, 2012, provides pharmacists with $18 when they assess approved “minor ailment conditions” that result in a drug prescription. Pharmacists in the province were given authority to prescribe for minor ailments in March 2011, as part of a broader expansion in their scope of practice. Currently, the approved ailments are acne, insect bites and cold sores, with PAS continuing discussions with the government on adding more approved conditions to the list. At least 50% of Saskatchewan pharmacists have taken the mandatory Minor Ailments Prescribing training, to allow them to offer the services to their patients.