Core Services Pharmacists Can Provide in Ontario
Based on OCP scope of practice, Pharmacy Act, and College guidance
Core Services
Dispense, compound and sell medications
Pharmacists can dispense both prescription and non-prescription medications following standards of practice.
Administer substances by injection or inhalation
This includes vaccines (e.g., influenza, COVID-19, others permitted by regulation) and other injectable therapies within scope.
Prescribe to renew existing prescriptions
Pharmacists can renew most prescriptions when appropriate to ensure continuity of care (excluding certain narcotics/controlled substances).
Prescribe to adapt existing prescriptions
This includes changing dosage form, dose amount, or frequency when clinically appropriate.
Prescribe to initiate treatment for certain conditions
Pharmacists can initiate treatment for smoking cessation, influenza, COVID-19, and other minor ailments as permitted under current regulations.
Perform certain point-of-care tests
These may include tests that help guide therapeutic decisions and demonstrate self-testing devices (e.g., glucose, INR, rapid diagnostics where permitted).
Provide clinical medication reviews
Pharmacists assess all the medications a patient is taking to identify drug interactions, appropriateness of therapy, and education needs.
Collaborate with prescribers and healthcare providers
Pharmacists work with physicians and others to optimize drug therapy and ensure safe, effective prescribing.
Patient counselling and education
Includes explaining proper medication use, side effects, device demonstration (e.g., inhalers), and general therapeutic education.
Prescribe for smoking cessation and support ongoing therapy
Includes nicotine replacement therapy and prescription agents for quitting smoking.
Administer certain vaccines
Pharmacists can administer vaccines approved by regulation and within the scope of practice, including routine and publicly funded immunizations.
Important Notes
- •Not all pharmacists are required to offer all services; providing a service (e.g., minor ailments prescribing) is optional and depends on training, pharmacy workflow, and policy.
- •Pharmacists must practise within the Standards of Practice, Code of Ethics, and all relevant policies issued by OCP.
- •Some services require additional training or certification before a pharmacist may offer them (for example, certain injections or prescribing for specific minor ailments).
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