Certain pharmacies are now providing primary-care: what’s available and where
Posted Feb 4, 2023 07:45:00 PM.
11 pharmacies in Nova Scotia are now providing certain clinical services and primary-care. The province is funding the program, hoping to ease strain on hospitals and clinics.
“It’s been a project that’s been in the works for a while now,” said Allison Bodnar, CEO, Pharmacy Association of Nova Scotia.
These 11 pharmacies now have clinics:
- Shoppers Drug Mart, 118 Wyse Rd., Dartmouth
- Guardian Bedford, 535 Larry Uteck Blvd., Bedford
- North Sydney PharmaChoice, 107 King St., North Sydney
- Shoppers Drug Mart, 254 Prince St., Sydney
- Shoppers Drug Mart, 912 East River Rd., New Glasgow
- The Medicine Shoppe, 664 Prince St., Truro
- Wilsons Pharmasave, 213 Commercial St., Berwick
- Bridgewater Guardian Pharmacy, 42 Glen Allan Dr., Bridgewater
- Shoppers Drug Mart, 1124 Bridge St., Greenwood
- TLC Pharmasave, 157 Water St., Shelburne
- City Drug Store, 369 Main St., Yarmouth
Some of these pharmacies will have clinic spaces right inside, others will have them upstairs or in adjacent buildings.
It was announced at the end of January that Nova Scotia would provide funding for pharmacists to expand their scope of practice.
“It will provide more access for people looking for treatment,” said Bodnar.
The province hopes pharmacists having the ability to provide care and treatment for some ailments will reduce strain on hospitals.
“They’re going to be working to their fullest scope,” said Bodnar.
That scope now includes over 30 minor ailments including nausea and even strep throat. It also includes contraception management.
Pharmacists can now assess and diagnose ailments and prescribe, change and renew medications within this scope.
Pharmacists have been training to provide most of these services since 2000.
“We’ve wanted something like this for a while, what’s new is really only the funding,” said Bodnar.
The province is investing $1-million into the project, which is currently in a pilot stage.
A 12th site, in Bedford West, will open later in February and another dozen are expected to open through the spring.
