Quebecers will soon be able to turn to their pharmacists for more than simply advice.
Quebec Health Minister Yves Bolduc tabled legislation Tuesday amending the Pharmacy Act with new responsibilities for pharmacists.
"Now we all agree that the pharmacist can do more than before," said Bolduc.
Bill 41 allows pharmacists to renew and adjust prescriptions, administer medication to show how to use it, and prescribe certain medications under strict guidelines.
Pharmacists will not be allowed to diagnose conditions and may only prescribe medication for certain returning conditions, such as seasonal allergies or urinary tract infections.
Pharmacist Magdy Makhael said he supports the amendment.
"It's a great idea to reexamine the whole thing and make the role of the pharmacist greater," he said, adding that it may resolve some issues patients face.
"The problem is not (medications). The problem is accessibility to a doctor at the time they need, and in some acute cases people come and they don't know what to do."
Now that the pharmacy is capable of both prescribing and selling treatment, potential conflicts of interest will be managed, said Diane Lamarre, president of the Quebec Order of Pharmacists.
"We closely put some conditions around the new activities… for example, the pharmacist will not decide for himself which medication he should introduce," she explained.
Last spring, the Quebec College of Physicians expressed reservations about the new proposals, but said Tuesday it has been working closely with the pharmacists on a joint committee to put patients' needs first.
"We are doing this for the patient. Not for doctors not for pharmacists, not for the healthcare system -- for the patient," said Dr. Charles Bernard, president of the physicians' order.
