Pharmacists in New Brunswick are authorized to assess and prescribe for over 35 common conditions, which are typically short-term afflictions that don't need lab or blood testing. Pharmacists are also authorized to administer a variety of vaccinations.
Covered by Medicare
The provincial government covers the cost of pharmacy assessments of the following conditions for eligible residents. The only cost to the patient is any medication or treatment prescribed. Eligibility requirements for each service are set by the Department of Health and include:
- Acne (mild)
- 12 years of age and older
- Not older than 30 years of age if new onset of acne.
- A maximum of one (1) mild acne initial assessment service and two (2) mild acne subsequent assessment services per patient within the past 12 months.
- Allergic rhinitis (seasonal allergies, hay fever)
- 2 years of age or older
- Not pregnant.
- A maximum of one (1) allergic rhinitis initial assessment services and two (2) allergic rhinitis subsequent assessment services per patient within the past 12 months.
- Cold sores (herpes labialis)
- 12 years of age or older
- Previously diagnosed
- A maximum of one (1) herpes labialis assessment service per patient within the past 12 months.
- Contact allergic dermatitis (allergic rash)
- 2 years of age or older
- Does not present with symptoms suspect of contact irritant dermatitis, atopic dermatitis (eczema), seborrheic dermatitis, diaper dermatitis or other types of dermatoses.
- A maximum of two (2) contact allergic dermatitis assessment services per patient within the past 12 months.
- Contraception management
- Between the ages of 12 and 50
- The patient has a menstrual cycle and is not experiencing unusual menstrual changes.
- The patient is not pregnant, breastfeeding or within 6 weeks post-partum.
- A maximum of one (1) contraceptive management initial assessment service per patient within the past 12 months.
- A maximum of one (1) contraceptive management subsequent assessment service resulting in change in prescription per patient within the past 12 months.
- A maximum of one (1) contraceptive management subsequent assessment service that does not result in a change in therapy or results in therapy discontinuation and/or referral per patient within the past 12 months.
- Eczema (mild to moderate)
- 2 years of age and older
- Does not present with symptoms suspect of contact dermatitis (allergic or irritant), seborrheic dermatitis, diaper dermatitis or other types of dermatoses.
- A maximum of two (2) eczema assessment services per patient within the past 12 months.
- Fungal Infections of the Skin (Ringworm, Jock Itch, Athlete's Foot)
- Tinea Corporis (Ringworm): 2 years of age or older.
- Tinea Cruris (Jock Itch): 2 years of age or older.
- Tinea Pedis (Athlete's Foot): 12 years of age or older and does not have diabetes or peripheral vascular disease (PVD).
- A maximum of three (3) fungal infections of the skin services per patient within the past 12 months.
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
- 18 years of age and older
- The patient does not present within 90 days of a previous episode.
- A maximum of three (3) GERD assessment services per patient within the past 12 months.
- Impetigo
- 2 years of age or older
- The patient does not present with symptoms of other types of dermatoses.
- A maximum of two (2) impetigo assessment services per patient within the past 12 months.
- Oral Thrush (Oral Candidiasis)
- 1 year of age or younger, or
- 65 years of age or older, or
- between the ages of 1 and 65 years of age and has recently used antibiotics or inhaled corticosteroids.
- A maximum of three (3) oral candidiasis services per patient within the past 12 months.
- Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis)
- 1 year of age or older
- A maximum of two (2) conjunctivitis assessment services per patient within the past 12 months.
- Prescription renewals
- Patient is without a primary care provider or have barriers to access their current provider due to absence or leave; or
- In an urgent situation for which the patient or the patient’s pharmacist is not able to obtain a prescription from the patient’s primary care provider.
- A maximum of four (4) prescription renewal service PINs of any combination per patient within the past 12 months.
- Shingles (herpes zoster)
- 12 years of age or older
- The patient presents with a herpes zoster rash.
- A maximum of one (1) herpes zoster assessment service per patient within the past 12 months.
- Tick bites (Lyme disease prophylaxis)
- The patient presents within 72 hours of tick removal.
- The patient is asymptomatic (has no symptoms).
- A maximum of two (2) Lyme disease prophylaxis assessment services per patient within the past 12 months.
- Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
- 16 years of age or older
- The patient presents with an uncomplicated UTI.
- The patient has previously been diagnosed with an uncomplicated UTI by a physician or nurse practitioner.
- A maximum of two (2) uncomplicated UTI assessment services per patient within the past 12 months.
Not covered by Medicare
Pharmacists in New Brunswick are trained and able to provide many other health-care services which are not currently funded by the provincial government. Therefore patients may be charged for the assessment of their condition, in addition to the cost of any medication, treatment, or vaccine prescribed.
- Calluses and Corns
- Canker Sores (oral ulcers)
- Dandruff
- Dry Eyes (Xerophthalmia)
- Emergency Contraception (ie. "the morning after pill")
- Group A streptococcal (GAS) pharyngitis (strep throat)
- Hemorrhoids
- Hives, bug bites and stings (mild urticaria)
- Indigestion (dyspepsia)
- Menstrual and pre-menstrual pain (dysmenorrhea)
- Mild Headache
- Minor Joint Pain
- Minor Muscle Pain
- Minor Sleep Disorders
- Nausea
- Nicotine dependence
- Non-infectious Diarrhea
- Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)
- Threadworms and Pinworms
- Upper respiratory tract conditions (cough, nasal congestion and discharge, sore throat, fever, malaise)
- Warts (excluding facial and genital)
- Yeast Infection (vaginal candidiasis)