A Saskatchewan pilot project allowing pharmacists to assess and treat common ailments like strep throat and ear infections has delivered more than 3,000 services since launching in January, signalling success in efforts to improve access to frontline care.The initiative, rolled out across select pharmacies in the province, enables trained pharmacists to perform rapid strep throat tests, assess ear infections, and prescribe medications when appropriate. As of July 13, participating pharmacists had completed 3,135 assessments — including 745 for sore throat and 2,390 for suspected ear infections.Nearly 53% of cases — a total of 1,640 patients — did not require a prescription, underscoring the benefit of pharmacists’ clinical evaluations in reducing unnecessary medication use.“This pilot is one of the first in Canada and shows that pharmacists play a vital role in enhancing access to timely care for common conditions,” said Lori Carr, Minister for Rural and Remote Health. “The fast access to assessment and treatment is reassuring to patients and strengthens team-based primary healthcare in the province.”.More than 140 pharmacists have been specially trained to meet competency standards set by the Saskatchewan College of Pharmacy Professionals (SCPP). Eleven pharmacies are offering both strep throat testing and ear infection assessments, while another 35 are assessing ear infections only."Saskatchewan College of Pharmacy Professionals is proud of the profession's leadership in this pilot, which reflects not only pharmacists' strong clinical competence but also the robust training and standards guiding their care," SCPP President Scott Livingstone said. "This initiative has been built on collaboration with experts in the field and regulators and is a testament to the profession's commitment to safe, patient-centred care."Pharmacists in Saskatchewan were first granted limited prescribing authority in 2012, beginning with three minor ailments. That list has since grown to 31. A full list of conditions, along with participating pharmacies and locations, is available on the SCPP website..The pilot is part of a broader health human resources strategy aimed at addressing gaps in access to care — particularly in rural and remote areas — by expanding the roles of healthcare professionals."I am confident that this pilot has demonstrated a meaningful impact and that full implementation could be a sustainable, long-term solution for Saskatchewan's healthcare system," Rexall Moose Jaw Pharmacy Services Manager Chad Miskiman said. "Moreover, this has significantly enhanced trust and credibility among pharmacy patients, as reflected in the substantial positive feedback we have received from the community."With nearly 1,300 practising pharmacists in over 430 licensed community pharmacies in the province, many Saskatchewan residents rely on their local pharmacy as a first point of contact for healthcare. The province is now considering expanding the program based on early outcomes and continued evaluation.
