Healthcare Services Provided

Pharmacy professionals are valuable members of your healthcare team. Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians work alongside other healthcare professionals within your circle of care to ensure you get the best possible care.

In addition to filling prescriptions, pharmacy professionals provide a variety of healthcare services.

Prescribing

A pharmacist authorized by the College of Pharmacy of Newfoundland and Labrador (CPNL) to prescribe may prescribe a drug to a person in the following circumstances:

Prescribe Emergency Refills

A pharmacist may provide you with a minimum amount of drugs previously prescribed to you to allow you time to visit a prescriber or your usual pharmacy for a refill.

Extend a Prescription

When your usual prescriber is unavailable, a pharmacist may extend a prescription for up to 12 months after the date the prescription was first extended, prescribing no more than a 90-day supply at once.

Adapt or Substitute a Prescription

A pharmacist may adapt a prescription by changing the brand, dose, formulation, or regimen of the drug prescribed, or the duration of the prescription. A pharmacist may also substitute a prescribed drug with a drug that, in their opinion, would have the same therapeutic effect. Adaptation and therapeutic substitution is provided in circumstances where doing so will more closely meet your needs.

Prescribe For Minor Ailments

A minor ailment is generally a condition that is considered less serious and for which you may not need to see your primary healthcare provider. For some ailments or conditions, a pharmacist may prescribe a prescription drug that may be a more effective treatment than an over-the-counter medication.

Ailments and conditions approved for pharmacist prescribing
Acne, mild
Canker Sore (Aphthous Ulcers)
Callouses and Corns
Cold Sores (Herpes Simplex)
Contact Dermatitis
COVID-19
Dandruff and Seborrhea
Diarrhea (non-infectious)
Dry Eyes
Dyspepsia
Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis)
Emergency Contraception
Fungal Nail Infections
Fungal Skin Infections (including athlete’s foot)
Heartburn (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease)
Headache, mild
Hemorrhoids
Shingles (Herpes Zoster)
Impetigo
Insomnia, mild
Joint Pain, mild
Menstrual Cramps (Dysmenorrhea)
Musculoskeletal Pain, mild
Nausea and Vomiting
Nicotine Dependence
Oral Thrush (Oral Candidiasis)
Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis)
Pinworms
Seasonal Allergies (Allergic Rhinitis)
Upper Respiratory Conditions, mild (cough, nasal congestion, sore throat)
Urinary Tract Infections, uncomplicated
Urticaria, mild (including bites and stings)
Vaginal Yeast Infection (Vaginal Candidiasis)
Warts, common and flat (Viral Skin Infections)

Prescribe For Preventable Diseases

Preventable diseases are infectious diseases that can be prevented with a vaccine. For some preventable diseases, a pharmacist may prescribe vaccines and drugs for disease prevention.

Preventable Diseases approved for pharmacist prescribing
COVID-19
Chickenpox (Varicella Zoster)
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis B
HPV (Human Papillomavirus)
RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus)
Shingles (Herpes Zoster)

Administering Drugs by Injection

A pharmacist or pharmacy technician who has completed additional training and become authorized by the College of Pharmacy of Newfoundland and Labrador (CPNL) may provide injections of drugs such as vaccines. Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians may administer COVID-19 or flu shots to any person 2 years of age or older. Other injections are restricted to persons 5 years of age or older.

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