Pharmacists Writing Prescriptions Proposed

(Toronto, Ontario) Forget the doctor. The Health Professions Regulatory Advisory Council says that Ontario pharmacists can write and fill prescriptions. It's recommended that the local pharmacy be the "first stop for prescription extensions, drug adjustments and medication monitoring through pharmacist-ordered lab tests."

"We're very happy (to) collaborate with other health professionals and really play our role in delivering health care to patients in Ontario," says Dennis Darby, head of the Ontario Pharmacists' Association.

"The good news is the advisory council agreed ... that pharmacists should be tasked with a higher level of care to patients."

Ontario doctors' groups have taken the proposal under advisement. Their comments will follow a complete analysis of the issue. The Ontario College of Pharmacists is similarly reserved about the proposal.

It's worthwhile to mention that the Health Professions Regulatory Advisory Council is comprised of seven members of the general public who advise the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. It's not known whether it's required that the council members know how to spell pharmacy.