In an attempt to alleviate pressure on British Columbia’s withering healthcare system, officials will broaden the role of pharmacists, allowing them to issue and renew more prescriptions for those without a family doctor..BC Health Minister Adrian Dix made the announcement Thursday, and beginning October 14 pharmacists will renew existing prescriptions and administer a wider range of drugs by injection for British Columbians without a family doctor, and they’ll be able to do so for up to two years..Beginning in the spring of 2023, pharmacists will actually prescribe medication for ailments such as urinary tract infections, acne, and contraception..As of now, a person suffering a urinary tract infection must be assessed and treated by a primary care practitioner, a profession which many in the province don't have access to..The BC College of Family Physicians says one million British Columbians are currently without a family doctor and remain unable to get one..A research poll released by the college in April shows 40% of those who do have a family doctor in BC are worried they will be lost to practice closure or retirement..Facing vicious criticism, BC Premier John Horgan previously highlighted there were 437,000 British Columbians unattached to a primary care practitioner in 2003, doubling to 897,000 by 2017..“The problem didn’t start yesterday,” he said..Officials say the forthcoming increase to pharmacist’s powers will not only alleviate building pressure on the primary care system, but it's also expected to reduce emergency room wait times..The province is also providing a $118 million stabilization fund to family doctors and implementing new regulations allowing paramedics to provide a broader range of services during emergencies..“From performing a record number of surgeries, to increasing our workforce by over 20% and adding more health-related education seats to post-secondary institutions, we have made important progress,” said Dix..“But we know that people are facing real challenges right now and there is much more work to do, and this strategy will guide our next steps in building a strong, resilient public healthcare system now and in the future.”.Dix says more will be announced in the coming weeks and months..COVID-19 vaccination remains enforced for a variety of BC healthcare professionals, including community physicians, and neither Dix nor BC Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry provided a timeline as to when the mandate will be lifted..“I am proud in British Columbia, unlike anywhere else in North America, 100% of our healthcare system workers are vaccinated with a primary series of COVID-19 vaccines,” Dix recently said..READ MORE: Henry and Dix prepare for 'winter surge' of COVID-19, influenza.READ MORE: Ashcroft man dies while waiting for ambulance to become available
