(File photo credit: CKPGtoday.ca Staff)

By Adam Berls

pharmacy appointments

Provincial booking system for appointments with pharmacists now open

Jun 30, 2023 | 1:54 PM

PRINCE GEORGE — A new provincial online booking system was launched, allowing people to book appointments with pharmacists.

Starting at the beginning of June, BC pharmacists’ scope of practice was expanded, allowing them to prescribe for 21 minor ailments and contraceptives. And initial numbers are showing that British Columbians are taking advantage, with over 25,000 people so far seeing a pharmacist for an assessment.

Premier David Eby said that this is a major step toward getting the health care British Columbians need. Opposition health critic Shirley Bond says that this is a good step, but more does need to be done.

“It needs to be all hands on deck. One of the key issues is looking at scope of practice. And so what we see now is that the pharmacists scope of practice has been expanded to allow them to deal with some minor ailments and prescriptions. So, you know, having a booking system is part of that. But what’s most important is making sure that we are finding ways to alleviate the pressure on emergency rooms and on clinics and one of the ways to do that is utilize pharmacists to their full scope of practice.” – Shirley Bond, Opposition Health Critic (BC United)

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So far, results from the expanded scope of practice and the new booking system are positive despite some concerns that pharmacists could become burdened with more work. Chris Chiew, president of the B.C. Pharmacy Association, says that the system is just expanding on what pharmacists were already doing and gives them another resource to help people.

Going to the new booking system, will allow people to check whether a pharmacist can help with their ailment before going in.

“So by going to this website that the government actually has created, they’re able to go there, take a look at that specific minor ailment that they’re looking for, and then a list of pharmacies will pop up with the times available so they can conveniently click on that and actually book their appointment. But as you can see, with 25,000 interactions to date, that you could also definitely walk in or call ahead of time to make sure that you’re going to get the service that you need for that particular minor ailment.” – Chris Chiew, President, B.C. Pharmacy Association

The link to the new system with the information regarding appointments and what can be treated by a pharmacist can be found HERE.

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Twitter: @AdamBerls

Email: Adam.Berls@pattisonmedia.com