Pharmacists asking for power to treat

The proposed changes include extending prescriptions, treating simple health issues such as

cold sores and allergies, ordering certain lab tests, and showing patients how to use some

medications, such as asthma inhalers.

Diane Lamarre, president of the Order, said doctors are overworked - the average wait in

emergency rooms is 17 hours - and pharmacists are perfectly placed to help ease the pressure

on the healthcare system.

"Patients are suffering from this lack of access," said Lamarre. "We have to make a change

and these are changes that the pharmacist may afford."

Lamarre said most Canadian provinces already allow their pharmacists to carry out these

duties.

The Order is calling on Quebec to be able to do the same by the end of this year.

Patient rights' advocate Paul Brunet calls it a "refreshing" and "positive" initiative which

makes a lot of sense.

"They are the professionals that we see the most," said Brunet.

"Every month we meet with them, why wouldn't they be used at better purposes and more often

everywhere the system might need them," he said.
Doctors open to idea

Quebec's College of Physicians is open to some of the proposals, such as allowing pharmacists

to renew prescriptions, but the College's Yves Robert doubts the changes would reduce the

burden on the healthcare system. Yves Robert with Quebec's College of Physicians says doctors

are open to the idea of pharmacists taking on more duties.Yves Robert with Quebec's College

of Physicians says doctors are open to the idea of pharmacists taking on more duties. (cbc)

"One of the biggest shortages we face in the health system is the shortage of pharmacists in

hospitals," said Robert.

"Why increase the spectrum of [duties] ... in the community if they cannot meet the needs of

the healthcare system in the hospital?"

Robert added there needs to be more discussion in the area of diagnosis and treatment.

"The reason why the professional pharmacists [exist] was to place the physician where he is

not in conflict of interest," he said.

In other words, "trading drugs and making diagnoses at the same time," said Robert.