Pharmacists in Quebec want the government to follow the example of the initiative that allows their Ontario counterparts to issue prescriptions for more than a dozen common ailments.

• Read also: Ontario: consult the pharmacist for certain health problems

"I hope that will change in the future [...] I think if we could definitely add some basic first-line treatments it would be an advantage to be able to do it in Quebec," commented Mina Hazemi, pharmacist at Jean Coutu located on Christophe-Colomb, in Montreal.

As of Sunday, Ontarians who come to their pharmacy lab with a health card can get a prescription for 13 conditions free of charge.

In Quebec, several resources are available, from medication renewal, to vaccination, to the prescription of certain medications, particularly for allergies, indigestion or contraception.

Avoid the emergency

However, legislation like that of Ontario is desired in order to allow health professionals to better support their clients and avoid them having to go to the emergency room.

"I would say of all the conditions, it would be really ideal if you could diagnose UTIs, because the symptoms are usually obvious and the patients are in pain, and then they have to go to the ER or the clinic," Ms. Hazemi commented.

However, this common health problem, like cold sores or atopic eruptions such as eczema, cannot currently be treated by Quebec pharmacists, unless you have a prescription less than five years old. case.

"We are advanced, but I think that since Sunday, Ontario has exceeded us," commented Mohamed Sabra, pharmacist at Proxim, in Rosemont-Petite-Patrie. I have a lot of orphan patients and I am open to any initiative that could help my clients [without a family doctor]”.

In addition, for a large part of the population of Quebec, going to the hospital or clinic can require travel of up to several hours.