Minor condition. Major care.
At participating locations, your local pharmacist can assess your symptoms and, if appropriate, prescribe medication for your minor condition. Minor conditions, also called minor ailments or common conditions*, are short-term conditions that are relatively uncomplicated to treat.
See below for a full list of conditions applicable in each province:
-
British Columbia
- Birth Control
- Canker Sores
- Cold Sores
- Dandruff
- Dermatitis (Allergic, Atopic, Contact)
- Diaper Rash
- Emergency Contraception
- Fungal Skin Infections (Athlete's Foot, Ring Worm, Jock Itch)
- Hay Fever or Seasonal Allergies
- Headache
- Heartburn/Acid Reflux
- Hemorrhoids
- Hives, Insect Bites and Stings
- Impetigo
- Indigestion
- Intestinal Parasites
- Menstrual Cramps
- Mild Acne
- Minor Sprains and Strains
- Nail Fungus
- Oral Thrush
- Pink Eye
- Shingles
- Smoking Cessation
- Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
- Vaginal Yeast Infection
For more information, speak to your pharmacist.
-
Alberta
Pharmacists are able to prescribe for many minor ailments and to help manage chronic conditions. Speak to your pharmacist for more information. Some examples of common minor ailments include:
-
Antibiotic Prophylaxis (for people with heart valves)
-
Birth Control
-
Calluses and Corns
-
Canker Sores
-
Cold Sores
-
Dandruff
-
Diaper Rash
-
Diarrhea
-
Dry Eyes
-
Eczema
-
Emergency Contraception
-
Erectile Dysfuction
-
Fungal Skin Infections (Athlete’s Foot, Ring Worm)
-
Head Lice
-
Hay Fever or Seasonal Allergies
-
Heartburn
-
Hemorrhoids
-
Hives, Insect Bites and Stings
-
Impetigo
-
Indigestion
-
Infected Hair Follicles
-
Intestinal Parasites
-
Lyme Disease
-
Menstrual Cramps
-
Mild Acne
-
Mild Headache
-
Mild Joint Pain
-
Mild Sleep Disorders
-
Minor Cuts
-
Minor Sprains and Strains
-
Nail Fungus
-
Nasal Congestion
-
Oral Thrush
-
Pink Eye
-
Prenatal Care
-
Psoriasis
-
Respiratory Conditions (Asthma, Cough, Nasal Congestion)
-
Sexually Transmitted Infections
-
Shingles
-
Skin Irritation and Rashes
-
Smoking Cessation
-
Sore throat
-
Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
-
Vaginal Yeast infection
-
Vomiting/Nausea
-
Warts
For more information, speak to your pharmacist.
-
-
Manitoba
- Canker Sores
- Dandruff
- Fungal Skin Infections (Athlete’s Foot, Ring Worm)
- Hay Fever or Seasonal Allergies
- Hemorrhoids
- Hives, Insect Bites and Stings
- Mild Acne
- Morning Sickness
- Nasal Congestion
- Oral Thrush
- Skin Irritation and Rashes
- Smoking cessation
- Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
- Vomiting/Nausea
For more information, speak to your pharmacist.
-
Ontario
-
Acne
-
Canker SoresCold Sores
-
COVID-19 Treatment
-
Diaper Rash
-
Hay Fever or Seasonal Allergies
-
Heartburn and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
-
Hemorrhoids
-
Influenza
-
Impetigo
-
Intestinal Parasites
-
Menstrual Cramps
-
Minor Sprains and Strains
-
Morning Sickness
-
Oral Thrush
-
Pink Eye
-
Skin Irritation and Rashes
-
Smoking Cessation
-
Tick Bite Preventive Treatment
-
Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
-
Urticaria, Insect Bites and Stings
-
Vaginal Yeast Infections
For more information, speak to your pharmacist.
-
-
Saskatchewan
- Athlete’s Foot
- Birth Control
- Canker Sores
- Chronic Genital Herpes
- Cold Sores
- COVID-19 Treatment
- Diaper Rash
- Eczema
- Emergency Contraception
- Erectile Dysfunction
- Flu
- Headaches and Migraines
- Hay Fever or Seasonal Allergies
- Heartburn and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
- Hemorrhoids
- Impetigo
- Infected Hair Follicles
- Insect Bites and Stings
- Intestinal Parasites
- Jock Itch
- Lyme Disease Prevention
- Menstrual Cramps
- Mild Acne
- Morning Sickness
- Muscle Strain and Sprains
- Nail Fungus
- Oral Thrush
- Pink Eye
- Ringworm
- Shingles
- Sinus Infection
- Smoking Cessation
- Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
For more information, speak to your pharmacist.
-
New Brunswick
- Birth Control
- Calluses and Corns
- Canker Sores
- Cold Sores
- COVID-19 Treatment
- Dandruff
- Diarrhea
- Dry Eyes
- Eczema
- Emergency Contraception
- Fungal Skin Infections (Athlete’s Foot, Ring Worm)
- Hay Fever or Seasonal Allergies
- Heartburn and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
- Hemorrhoids
- Hives, Insect Bites and Stings
- Impetigo
- Indigestion
- Intestinal Parasites
- Joint Pain
- Menstrual Cramps
- Mild Acne
- Mild Headaches
- Mild Sleep Disorders
- Minor Sprains and Strains
- Oral Thrush
- Pink Eye
- Respiratory Conditions (nasal congestion, cough)
- Shingles
- Skin Irritation and Rashes
- Smoking Cessation
- Sore Throat
- Tick Bite Preventive Treatment
- Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
- Vaginal Yeast Infection
- Vomiting/Nausea
- Warts (excluding facial and genital)
For more information, speak to your pharmacist.
-
Nova Scotia
- Birth Control
- Calluses and Corns
- Canker Sores
- Cold Sores
- Cough (Covid-19)
- Dandruff
- Diarrhea
- Dry Eyes
- Emergency Contraception
- Fungal Skin Infections (Athlete’s Foot, Ring Worm)
- Hay Fever or Seasonal Allergies
- Heartburn and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
- Hemorrhoids
- Impetigo
- Indigestion
- Intestinal Parasites
- Joint Pain
- Menstrual Cramps
- Mild Acne
- Mild Headache
- Mild to Moderate Eczema
- Muscle Pain
- Nasal Congestion
- Nausea
- Oral Thrush
- Pink Eye
- Shingles
- Skin Irritation and Rashes
- Sleep Disorders
- Smoking Cessation
- Sore Throat
- Tick Bite Preventive Treatment
- Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
- Urticaria, Insect Bites and Stings
- Vaginal Yeast Infection
- Warts (excluding facial and genital)
For more information, speak to your pharmacist.
-
Newfoundland
- Canker Sores
- Calluses and Corns
- Cold Sores
- COVID-19 Treatment
- Dandruff
- Diarrhea
- Dry Eyes
- Eczema
- Emergency Contraception
- Fungal Skin Infections (Athlete’s Foot, Ring Worm)
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
- Hay Fever or Seasonal Allergies
- Hemorrhoids
- Impetigo
- Indigestion
- Insomnia (sleep disorders)
- Intestinal Parasites
- Joint Pain
- Menstrual Cramps
- Mild Acne
- Mild Headache
- Minor Sprains and Strains
- Nail Fungus
- Nausea and Vomiting
- Oral Thrush
- Pink Eye
- Respiratory Conditions (nasal congestion, cough)
- Shingles
- Skin Irritation and Rashes
- Smoking Cessation
- Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
- Urticaria, Insect Bites and Stings
- Vaginal Yeast Infection
- Warts (excluding facial and genital)
For more information, speak to your pharmacist.
-
Prince Edward Island
- Allergic Skin Rash
- Birth control
- Calluses or Corns
- Canker Sores
- Cold Sores (oral)
- Cough
- COVID-19 Treatment
- Dandruff
- Diarrhea
- Dry Eyes
- Eczema
- Emergency Contraception
- Fungal Skin Infections
- Heartburn and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
- Hemorrhoids
- Impetigo
- Indigestion
- Insect Bites and Stings
- Intestinal Parasites
- Menstrual Cramps
- Mild Acne
- Mild Headache
- Mild Joint Pain
- Nasal Allergies (Hay Fever)
- Nasal Congestion and Stuffy Nose
- Nausea
- Oral Thrush
- Shingles
- Sleep Disorders
- Smoking Cessation
- Sore Throat
- Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
- Vaginal Yeast Infection
- Warts (excluding facial and genital)
For more information, speak to your pharmacist.
- Allergic Skin Rash
-
Yukon
- Acne (Mild)
- Bug Bites and Skin Rash
- Canker Sore
- Cold Sore
- COVID-19 Treatment
- Diaper Rash
- Heartburn and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
- Hemorrhoids
- Impetigo
- Oral Thrush
- Painful Menstruation
- Parasitic Worms
- Pink Eye
- Seasonal Allergies
- Shingles (painful skin rash)
- Skin Irritation and Rashes
- Smoking Cessation
- Strains and Sprains
- Urinary Track Infection (UTI)
- Yeast Infection (vaginal)
For more information, speak to your pharmacist.
- Acne (Mild)
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What medications can pharmacists prescribe?
Medications for certain minor conditions, such as allergies or skin irritations, which vary by province.
The pharmacist has the right to decide if the prescription is needed.
2. Do all pharmacists offer this service?
While all pharmacists can recommend over-the-counter treatments, only participating pharmacists in
certain provinces can prescribe medication. Ask your pharmacist if they offer this service.
3. Do I need to make an appointment?
Our pharmacies are independently owned and operated, so please check with your local participating
pharmacy to find out if you need to make an appointment.
4. What can I expect during my visit?
Your pharmacist will assess your condition and decide the best course of action, whether that be to prescribe
medication or make a referral to another health care provider.
5. Do I have to pay for an assessment or a prescription for a minor condition?
In some provinces, the assessment is covered by your provincial health card. In other provinces, a fee for service may apply.
If a prescription is issued, prescription fees apply, just as prescriptions issued by a physician.
6. Will the pharmacist notify my doctor?
Pharmacists who prescribe medications are required to notify a patient’s primary care provider to support
continuity of care and treatment outcomes.
7. If I don't have a family doctor, can a pharmacist still prescribe me medication?
Yes, you can still be assessed and prescribed medication by a pharmacist without a doctor's involvement.
For more information, speak to your local pharmacist.
The pharmacy services presented in this section are offered by Guardian, I.D.A. and Remedy'sRx pharmacists. The pharmacists are solely responsible for the professional activities carried out during the practice of pharmacy. These services are offered in participating pharmacies only. Certain fees and conditions may apply.
*The information contained herein is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide complete information on the subject matter or to replace the advice of a health professional. This information does not constitute medical consultation, diagnosis or opinion and should not be interpreted as such. Please consult your health care provider if you have any questions about your health, medications or treatment.