New online booking system for appointments with pharmacists

Issue: BCMJ, vol. 65, July August 2023, News

Starting Thursday, 29 June 2023, people will be able to book an appointment to see a pharmacist through a new provincial online booking system at gov.bc.ca/seeapharmacist.

On 1 June 2023, pharmacists’ scope of practice was expanded to allow them to prescribe for 21 minor ailments and contraceptives.

The new online booking system is similar to the Get Vaccinated system used to book appointments for COVID-19 and influenza vaccinations. Through the new online booking system, people can search for available appointment times at nearby pharmacies based on their minor ailment or contraceptive needs. Appointments can continue to be made by calling or visiting a pharmacy. Walk-in service without an appointment is also available at some pharmacies.

On 1 April 2023, the province implemented universal coverage for more than 60 commonly used birth-control methods, including oral contraceptives, copper and hormonal intrauterine devices (IUDs), implants, hormonal injections, and the morning-after pill. Between 1 April and 19 May 2023, pharmacists dispensed contraceptives to more than 81 000 patients under the new policy at no cost.

The pharmacists’ scope of practice expansion is an action from BC’s Health Human Resources Strategy, announced on 29 September 2022. The strategy focuses on 70 actions to recruit, train, and retain health care workers, while redesigning the health care system to foster workplace satisfaction and innovation.
 

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. New online booking system for appointments with pharmacists. BCMJ, Vol. 65, No. , July, August, 2023, Page(s) - News.


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