MONTREAL - Quebec pharmacists are lobbying the province for the right to renew existing prescriptions and write new prescriptions for certain medications.
The Quebec Order of Pharmacists says the changes would help reduce wait times at clinics and emergency rooms.
"We think that we can use pharmacists and their skills in a better way and we think that it's an emergency," said Dianne Lamarre, president of the 7,700-member order.
Pharmacist Judith Choquette says her colleagues frequently bend rules for people who need medications.
"My other pharmacist is handling a situation where the patient needs a dosage adjustment," she said, referring to a colleague at work.
"We have to make tough decisions. Sometimes we extend these prescriptions even though we're not allowed to. We have to deal with these situations everyday," she said.
The pharmacists point to a CROP survey from last year that suggests that the public is strongly behind them in this initiative.
The survey said that 92 percent of respondents agreed strongly that pharmacists should be able to renew or temporarily extend prescriptions.
Firoza Mamdani is one of those members of the public who would like to see pharmacists renewing prescriptions.
"Many of us, myself included, don't have GPs. So it would help it we could go see the pharmacist. "
"My parents have medications renewed several times a year and it'd easier if they don't have to go to a doctor for a renewal," she said.
The pharmacists also want to be permitted to adapt prescriptions based on weight or allergie and write prescriptions for simple problems such as cold sores or allergies.
They also want to be allowed to order certain lab tests and get the right to administer some medications for the purposes of teaching a patient how to do it, such as with an inhaler.
The initiative takes place during During Pharmacy Awareness Week, which lasts from March 13 to 19.
More information concerning the Order of Pharmacists' proposal can be found on their website pourlemieux.ca
