Updates

Following the example of other provinces, the Minister of Health and Social Services in Quebec proposed an amendment bill to the Pharmacy Act in June 2019. This bill aims to enhance the scope of practice of pharmacists to promote better and timely access to health care and services by allowing pharmacists to prescribe and administer certain medications, such as vaccines. With this move, the Quebec government wishes to increase the efficiency, accessibility and cost-effectiveness of its health care system by preventing unnecessary medical consultations and expanding access to services closer to patients. It remains to be seen whether Quebec will be able to build on lessons learned from the mixed results of a similar reform in Ontario that started in 2009.