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As front-line health care providers, pharmacists can provide a variety of medical services. The main ones are:
Pharmacist’s role
The main role of the pharmacist is to ensure the correct use of medicines and the monitoring of drug therapy. These can help optimize these treatments to maintain or restore health.
As medical professionals, they can help you in a variety of situations. For example, you can:
- Assess your health status and the severity of your symptoms. They can then suggest actions to take (such as hydration, compresses, etc.) or over-the-counter treatments (such as ointments, painkillers, etc.) to alleviate your symptoms. If your condition requires it, we recommend consulting another health care professional.
- prescribe medicines that have already been prescribed If you have had certain minor health problems within the past 2-5 years. Examples include urinary tract infections, eczema, allergic rhinitis, and cold sores.
- Start specific preventive treatmentssuch as emergency contraception (the “morning-after pill”) and smoking cessation pills. A pharmacist may also prescribe antibiotics if you have been bitten by a tick, or antivirals if you are at risk of complications from influenza or COVID-19.
- If you have over-the-counter medicine, please prescribe it. The drug may then be covered by insurance. This prescription also allows the pharmacist to label the product. This is required in schools, day care centers, etc.
- extend a prescription If you are unable to see a doctor within the expiration date. This prevents treatment from being interrupted.
- adjust prescription Reduce side effects, avoid drug interactions, and improve therapeutic efficacy. For example, a pharmacist may change a pill that is difficult to swallow into a liquid or change the dosage.
- replace prescribed medication Use another one in case of shortages, administrative issues, or safety risks.
- Prescribe and interpret the results of blood tests and other tests To monitor the effectiveness and safety of medicines.
- administer medicine We will explain how to use it in an emergency.
- Administer any vaccine For people over 6 years old. For influenza vaccines and travel vaccines, the minimum age is 2 years.
problem?
If you are dissatisfied with the pharmacist’s response, there is a relief system.
If you are a pharmacist, Community pharmacist (neighborhood pharmacy)Please contact. Québec Pharmacy Agency.
in the case of Pharmacist at a medical institution (hospital, CHSLD, etc.) or FMGplease contact your institution representative Service Quality and Complaints Committee. Not satisfied with the commissioner’s response? Contact the Quebec Ombudsman. Our service is free and without any complications.