By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON October 10, 2012 – In what they are describing as a program to bring expanded healthcare services closer to home the provincial government has announced a new program that allows the delivery of some services from pharmacists including the publicly funded flu shot and getting their prescriptions renewed.
In addition to giving the flu shot, pharmacists can now also:
Renew or adapt existing prescriptions
Prescribe medication to help people quit smoking
Demonstrate how to use an asthma inhaler or inject insulin
Support patients who have a chronic disease, such as diabetes, monitor their condition
There are some people who never get used to a flu shot. These can now be given at a pharmacy – don’t need to go to the doctors office
Expanding the role of highly trained pharmacists is part of the McGuinty government’s Action Plan for Health Care. The plan gives Ontarians better access to family doctors, nurse practitioners and other health care providers, to ensure that health care dollars are spent most efficiently.
This will be the 13th year the flu shot has been offered in Ontario.
People (over the age of five) can visit participating local pharmacies starting Oct. 22 where specially trained pharmacists will give them the flu shot as part of Ontario’s Universal Influenza Immunization Program.
Hopefully the line up at the drug store will be less than the waiting time in a doctors office.
