Transforming and Supporting Patient Care - Health Professions ...

352Chapter 14 – Profession of PharmacyAs noted in the scope of practice review, while HPRAC sees this as apotential matter for consideration in the future, it does not find anycompelling reason to recommend this proposal at this time.2: A Minor Ailments ProtocolIn response to HPRAC’s review of a potential introduction of a minorailments program in Ontario, the OCP and the OPA have proposed a minorailment protocol to authorize pharmacists to prescribe from a limitedformulary. The OCP proposed that pharmacists be limited to Schedule IIand III drugs. The request from the OPA differs in that it proposes thatpharmacists be able to prescribe Schedule I, II and III drugs. At the time oftheir proposals, neither organization had an opportunity to review HPRAC’srecommendations about a minor ailments program in Ontario.As it had in the scope of practice review, the OPA proposed thatpharmacists be authorized to prescribe Schedule I drugs from a limitedformulary for the purposes of smoking cessation, travel prophylaxis and inemergencies. 26 Drugs to be used in emergencies include beta-2 agonists, inthe case of an acute asthmatic reaction, and antivirals for influenzatreatment/prophylaxis. 27The OPA said that for the initiation of Schedule I drugs, a combination ofconditions and circumstances, class of drugs and a list of specific drugswould best respond to the competencies of the profession. Furthermore,the OPA said that any list would have to be reviewed and revised on aregular schedule, at least biannually, to ensure it is current. 28 Toaccommodate the future evolution of pharmacists’ scope of practice, theOPA requests that limitations and conditions on the proposed changes tothe Pharmacy Act, 1991 be placed in standards of practice. 29Proponents’ RationaleThe purpose of minor ailments programs is to relieve pressure on primarycare by providing an alternative for patients seeking treatment for minorailments. In many cases, a patient will not need to visit a physician toreceive treatment.Minor ailment schemes have been established in Great Britain, andaccording to HPRAC’s interviews with the United Kingdom NationalPrescribing Centre, are supported by patients and appear to be workingwell. These programs enable pharmacists to treat a number of commonailments such as athlete’s foot and dermatitis. The authority to prescribedrugs is generally centred on a detailed agreement with the local healthtrust, based on interprofessionally developed formularies and treatmentprotocols.26Ibid. Appendix B.27Ibid. 8.28Ibid. 19.29Ibid. 10.HPRAC Critical Links January 2009