Image Credit: Flickr / Province of B.C.

By Chilliwack-Kent MLA Kelli Paddon

Sound Off

SOUND OFF: Online bookings now available for pharmacists in B.C.

Jul 5, 2023 | 10:30 AM

QUALITY HEALTH CARE IS IMPORTANT to British Columbians and our government is working diligently to take pressure off the health-care system, using as many tools in our toolbox as possible.

Pharmacists are incredibly integral, knowledgeable, dedicated and valuable members of our primary care system here in British Columbia, and important members of their communities. This summer, pharmacists were given more prescribing power so they could help even more British Columbians.

As of June 1, local pharmacists now have the power to assess and write prescriptions for 21 minor ailments, such as UTIs or pink eye. This means British Columbians, especially those who don’t have a family doctor, won’t have to wait at the busy clinic or in the emergency room to be treated for certain ailments. This will take pressure off our clinics, urgent care centres and emergency rooms so that doctors can assess people with more serious concerns faster.

Additionally, pharmacists are now also able to prescribe birth control, which is now free for residents of B.C.

In April of 2023, British Columbia became the first province to make most forms of prescription contraception free, saving British Columbians who require prescription birth control roughly $30 per month, and up to $10,000 in their lifetime. These changes increase equity and access to reproductive health across the province.

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Since June 1, more than 25,000 British Columbians have been assessed by a pharmacist, and now our government is making it even easier for people to access the care they need with our new online system to book appointments at participating pharmacies near you.

People can now use the new online booking system to search for available appointment times at nearby pharmacies based on their minor ailment or contraceptive needs. This is similar to the booking system our province has used to help people get vaccinated against COVID-19.

People will still be able to make appointments with their pharmacists by phoning or walking in.

With our government’s Health Human Resources Strategy, we are working on long-term changes to attract more health-care professionals to British Columbia and to build capacity in our primary care system but also focusing on immediate changes like this one that helps British Columbians get the care they need faster.

To book an appointment online to see a pharmacist and learn more about the new minor ailments and contraceptive services, visit www.gov.bc.ca/seeapharmacist.

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or Pattison Media.