With the need for more staff and options when it comes to healthcare, Pharmacists Manitoba is sounding the alarm that they can assist in this matter. Currently, in Manitoba, pharmacists can assess patients and prescribe for only 14 common ailments; meanwhile, in Alberta, pharmacists can assess and prescribe for 58, and in Saskatchewan, 41. Former resident of The Pas and pharmacist Britt Kural has been advocating to expand pharmacists’ scope of practice in Manitoba.
“There are lots of things that pharmacists do that currently help support primary care access,” said Pharmacists Manitoba Pharmacy Practice Advisor Britt Kural. “What we’re really trying to raise awareness about is how little it is compared to other provinces. There are 41 additional common ailments and services that we are asking the government to enable pharmacists to do in Manitoba, to be able to catch up to the other provinces and to allow pharmacists to use the skills that they possess, help patients and improve access to primary care.