Tag: Columbia

Pharmacy Services in B.C. – Province of British Columbia

Last updated:  November 16, 2023

On this page:


How pharmacists can help you

In addition to consulting on and dispensing prescriptions, pharmacists can: 

What to bring to the pharmacy

Pharmacists are licensed health care professionals. They are bound by the same confidentiality rules as a family doctor or nurse practitioner. Your health information and conversations are private and confidential.

Pharmacists can assess and treat 21 minor ailments such as UTIs, allergies, pink eye and dermatitis. The service is free for B.C. residents when provided in person, in a pharmacy.

Your visit may include:

  • a prescription
  • advice for self-management
  • a recommendation to see another health care provider

Minor ailments self-assessment checklist:

For severe symptoms or medical emergencies, seek immediate medical attention or call 9-1-1.

If your symptoms match one of the minor ailments below, you can book an appointment or visit a pharmacy for an assessment.

All the below for more than 7 days:

  • Stuffy or runny nose (usually clear and watery)
  • Sneezing
  • Itchy nose, eyes, and/or throat

Read more about allergies at HealthLink BC.

  • Begins with itching, tingling, or burning sensation at border of lip. A cluster of fluid-filled, painful blisters soon appear, surrounded by redness Blisters then break, crust over, and usually heal within 7-10 days

Read more about cold sores at HealthLink BC.

(includes jock itch, athlete’s foot, ringworm, nail infection)

  • Jock itch: Large, round, red patches with bumpy or scaly, well-defined borders, usually on upper inner thigh or groin. May spread to inner leg toward buttocks or toward stomach/abdomen. Commonly itchy, burning
  • Athlete’s foot: Commonly occurs between toes but may occur on other areas of the feet. May be itchy, cracked or scaly, inflamed or blistered skin that burns and/or hurts
  • Ringworm: Small, round, red patch with well-defined bumpy

Government of Canada Invests close to $164 Million to Support Home and Community Care, Mental Health and Addictions Services in British Columbia

VANCOUVER, BC, April 12, 2023 /CNW/ – The Government of Canada is committed to working with provinces and territories to modernize Canada’s public health care system and adapt to the changing needs of Canadians.

To strengthen Canada’s universal public health care system, Budget 2023 highlighted the Government of Canada’s plan to provide close to $200 billion over 10 years, which includes over $28 billion to British Columbia for timely access to a family health team provider, a sustainable workforce, better access to quality mental health services, and ensuring patients have access to their own electronic health information. Helping Canadians age with dignity, closer to home, with access to home care or care in a safe long-term care facility is another shared priority where collaborative work is already underway.

Today, the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Health, accompanied by the Honourable Adrian Dix, Minister of Health for British Columbia, announced the signature of an agreement with British Columbia to continue to improve access to home and community care, and mental health and addictions services. Through this agreement, British Columbia is receiving close to $164 million in 2022-23 from the $11 billion, 10-year investment outlined in Budget 2017.

The Canada-British Columbia agreement builds on progress achieved through the first five years of this federal investment, and will:

  • Strengthen home and community care by supporting the delivery of specialized community services programs, including:

  • Improve access to mental health and addictions services by:

The Government of Canada will continue to work closely with provinces and territories to support them in accessing the remaining four years of funding available for home and community care, and mental health and addictions, and to improve health care services across the country.

Quotes

“Better health care for Canadians means supporting our healthcare workers and ensuring patients

Back To Top