Pharmacists CAN: More care closer to home as Saskatchewan and Ontario expand pharmacists' scope
Governments across Canada continue to look to pharmacists to help improve access to care in communities large and small. Recent announcements in Saskatchewan and Ontario are just the latest examples of provinces expanding pharmacists’ scope of practice and investing in community pharmacy services to help patients access care closer to home.
Saskatchewan: New agreement supports expanded pharmacy care
On May 5, the Government of Saskatchewan and the Pharmacy Association of Saskatchewan (PAS) announced a new three-year Pharmacy Proprietor Agreement aligned with the province’s Patients First Health Care Plan.
The agreement includes a $13.8-million funding increase to support pharmacy sustainability, expand patient access to pharmacy services and optimize pharmacists’ scope of practice across the province.
Developed collaboratively by the Government of Saskatchewan and PAS, the agreement expands pharmacy-based strep throat and ear infection assessment services, including the use of rapid point-of-care testing to help pharmacists assess and treat patients more quickly in the community.
The agreement also broadens access to Saskatchewan’s Medication Assessment Program, including expanded eligibility for patients living with diabetes and mental health conditions, while supporting continued growth in pharmacist-led minor ailment and chronic disease management services.
- Read more about Saskatchewan’s new pharmacy agreement and expanded services
Ontario: Province expands pharmacist prescribing and vaccination authorities
Ontario also announced a significant expansion to pharmacists’ scope of practice earlier this month. Beginning in July 2026, pharmacists across the province will be authorized to administer additional publicly funded vaccines and assess and prescribe for nine more common ailments.
New pharmacist-administered vaccines will include tetanus, pertussis, diphtheria, pneumococcal disease, RSV and shingles. Ontario is also adding nine additional common ailments pharmacists can assess and treat, including dry eye, head lice, nasal congestion and ringworm.
The expansion will allow Ontarians to access more routine care and vaccinations directly through community pharmacies, reducing the need for appointments at physician offices and clinics.
According to the province, pharmacists in Ontario have already provided more than 2.4 million assessments for common ailments since pharmacist prescribing was introduced in 2023.
The Ontario Pharmacists Association welcomed the announcement and has continued to advocate for expanded access to pharmacist-led care across the province.
- Read more about Ontario’s upcoming pharmacy scope expansion and implementation details
Building toward a stronger vision for pharmacy care in Canada
Announcements like these reflect a growing recognition that pharmacists are an essential part of improving access to care and strengthening Canada’s health-care system when enabled to practise to the full extent of their education and training.
As provinces and territories expand pharmacist services, momentum continues to build across the country toward a stronger vision for pharmacy care. CPhA’s Pharmacists CAN campaign is helping reinforce that vision—one where Canadians can more consistently access the care, expertise and services pharmacists are educated to provide in their communities.