What Pharmacists CAN Prescribe (Minor Ailments)Pharmacists in Ontario are authorized to prescribe medications for 19 specific minor ailments as of 2026. These are typically short-term conditions that can be managed without complex laboratory tests.CategoryConditionsCommon InfectionsUncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs), Oral Thrush, Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis), Impetigo, and Yeast Infections.Skin ConditionsMild Acne, Dermatitis (eczema/allergic), Diaper Rash, Cold Sores, and Shingles.Pests & BitesTick Bites (to prevent Lyme disease), Pinworms, Threadworms, Insect Bites, and Hives.General HealthAcid Reflux (GERD), Hemorrhoids, Canker Sores, Menstrual Cramps, Nausea/Vomiting in Pregnancy, and Sprains or Strains.Note: Pharmacists can also prescribe Paxlovid for COVID-19 and Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) for influenza.❌ What Pharmacists CANNOT Prescribe IndependentlyDespite their expanded role, pharmacists still have major limitations on what they can order without a doctor's prescription.Most Travel Medications: Pharmacists generally cannot independently prescribe medications for travel prevention, such as Malarone for malaria or altitude sickness pills.Most Travel Vaccines: While they can administer vaccines like Twinrix (Hepatitis A/B) and Typhoid, they usually require a valid prescription from a doctor or nurse practitioner first.Chronic Disease Management: They cannot initiate new prescriptions for long-term conditions like high blood pressure, heart disease, or diabetes.Controlled Substances: Prescribing narcotics, opioids, or most sedatives remains outside their independent scope.Complex Diagnostics: They cannot currently order complex laboratory tests, though point-of-care tests like strep throat testing are being integrated into their role.

What Pharmacists CAN and CAN’T Prescribe in Ontario

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In Ontario, the scope of practice for pharmacists has expanded significantly, allowing them to assess and prescribe for many common conditions. This shift aims to improve access to healthcare for non-emergency issues, particularly in areas where finding a travel clinic near me might be difficult.

✅ What Pharmacists CAN Prescribe (Minor Ailments)

Pharmacists in Ontario can prescribe medications for 19 specific minor ailments. A minor ailment is defined as a short-term condition that can be reliably diagnosed without complex lab tests.+1

Condition CategorySpecific Ailments
InfectionsUncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs), Impetigo, Oral Thrush, Yeast Infections, Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis).
Skin IssuesAcne (mild), Dermatitis (eczema/allergic), Diaper Rash, Cold Sores, Shingles.
Pests & BitesTick Bites (to prevent Lyme disease), Pinworms/Threadworms, Insect Bites, and Hives.
Digestive & OtherAcid Reflux (GERD), Hemorrhoids, Canker Sores, Menstrual Cramps, Nausea/Vomiting in Pregnancy.

Note on Paxlovid: Pharmacists can also prescribe Paxlovid for eligible patients to treat COVID-19.

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❌ What Pharmacists CANNOT Prescribe Independently

While their scope is broader than ever, there are still major limitations on what a pharmacist can order without a doctor’s prescription.

  • Most Travel Medications: Pharmacists generally cannot independently prescribe medications for travel-related prevention, such as Malarone (malaria) or altitude sickness pills.
  • Most Travel Vaccines: While pharmacists can administer vaccines like Twinrix (Hepatitis A/B) and Typhoid, they usually require a prescription from a doctor or nurse practitioner first.
  • Chronic Disease Medications: They cannot start new prescriptions for chronic conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, or heart disease.
  • Controlled Substances: They cannot prescribe narcotics, opioids, or most sedatives.
  • High-Potency Steroids: They are currently advised against prescribing high-potency topical corticosteroids for skin issues.

The “Travel Medicine” Gap

Many travellers walk into a Shoppers Drug Mart or Rexall thinking they can get their travel shots on the spot. While these pharmacies can provide the injection, they often cannot issue the prescription needed to dispense the vaccine itself.

This is where Canada TravelMED bridges the gap. By booking a virtual consultation, you speak with a Canadian doctor who can prescribe travel-specific medications like Twinrix or Malarone. We then send those prescriptions directly to your pharmacist at Shoppers or Rexall, so you can pick up your meds and get your flu shot in one trip.

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