Pharmacist Prescribing Services
Alberta
Alberta Pharmacists have been prescribing medications for over 15 years, the longest of any province in Canada. Pharmacists with an extra certification known as Additional Prescribing Authorization (APA), may assess patients for a number of conditions and prescribe medications if appropriate. They can also order lab tests when required.
3 Types of Pharmacist Prescribing Activities
(as defined by the Alberta College of Pharmacy)
Initial access prescribing – prescribing when a patient chooses a pharmacist for advice about and treatment of minor, self-limiting or self-diagnosed conditions, about wellness programs, or in urgent or emergency situations
Prescription modification—modifying a prescription written by another prescriber to alter dosage, formulation, regimen, or duration of the prescribed drug, or provide a therapeutic alternative to improve drug therapy or provide continuity of therapy
Comprehensive drug therapy management—initiating, maintaining, modifying, or changing drug therapy based on referral from another health provider who has made the diagnosis or upon the request of the patient upon receiving a diagnosis.
For more information, visit the Alberta College of Pharmacy FAQ
Appointments
Please note that a combination of walk-in and scheduled appointments may be available. Please contact your local London Drugs pharmacy for more information.
Examples of Minor Ailments
Alberta pharmacists are not limited to a specific list of conditions, but below are some examples of popular assessment requests.
