One of the worst things about a minor ailment is often the hassle involved in getting treatment. Mild medical conditions like acne or seasonal allergies likely won’t cause any harm if left untreated, but they are incredibly frustrating at their worst and can certainly make comfortable day-to-day living much harder! Unfortunately, finding solutions often involves either weeks of waiting to see the family doctor or hours of waiting in a walk-in clinic, not to mention missing work or school in the process. No wonder it can be hard to decide whether the ailment or obtaining treatment is the bigger inconvenience!
Luckily for those in Saskatchewan and select other provinces, a doctor’s appointment isn’t the only way to get the treatment we need! A local Shoppers Drug Mart pharmacist is also able to evaluate minor ailments from cold sores to muscle pain and prescribe appropriate medications for the problem! And with back-to-school season just around the corner, I’ll soon be heading off to see my pharmacist and find the best solution for my family’s seasonal allergies.
Allergies are annoying; there’s no doubt about it. But for a child in school, allergies can also affect academic performance, since listening to a teacher while dealing with stuffiness, itchy eyes and sneezing is pretty difficult. My oldest son has suffered from occasional seasonal allergic outbreaks for the last few years and I’ve often wondered how to minimize his discomfort during the few stronger reactions he gets each year. That’s why I’m going to see my Shoppers Drug Mart pharmacist before school starts this year so that I have a solution ready!
In addition to evaluating my son’s allergies and suggesting potential over-the-counter treatments, my pharmacist can also potentially write a prescription for medication such as Nasonex that will help treat Zackary’s symptoms. Since Zackary only has perhaps three or four seasonal allergy outbreaks each year, it doesn’t make sense to wait in a doctor’s office all day to find a potential treatment. Spending a few minutes talking to my pharmacist to find a solution just makes more sense!
Shoppers Drug Mart pharmacists in Saskatchewan and select other provinces can also provide advice and treatment for other minor ailments including eczema, acne and more. Whether the best solution is a simple lifestyle change, an over-the-counter product, a prescription medication or some combination of all three, I’m so happy I can depend on my pharmacist to give me helpful advice and solutions for my family.
I know from talking to others that I’m not the only one that dreads visiting the doctor for a minor complaint. It’s often an exhausting and time-consuming process, which is why so many people tend to ignore their minor irritations instead of treating them. But since discovering that my pharmacist can provide quick and effective solutions, I’ve made the decision to stop tolerating minor ailments and start treating them instead. With the help of my local pharmacist, finding treatments for my family has never been more convenient!
Doris Calvert says
They did make a huge production about how pharmacists will be able to write minor prescriptions but when we asked they say I can’t or they say it was a sham, so you are lucky!!
Cady Bisschop says
I don’t believe that in Ontario that they are able to do that unfortunately.
Lynda Cook says
I love my drug store pharmacist, he is there to help and answer questions, I’ve gotten a lot of help from mine, which in turn saves a lot of time going to the doctors and waiting forever for the small things!!
Nicole C says
It takes me approx. 6 weeks to get a doctor’s appointment, therefore I eat healthy, exercise and avoid going to the doctor’s. If it’s an emergency, I go to the after-hours clinic.
Treen Goodwin says
I love my Pharmacist , always willing to help at anytime i call , they really are amazing 🙂
Julie F says
I always get advice from our pharmacist before treating minor ailments!
Cheryl says
Awesome! I didn’t kmow this
Stephanie LaPlante says
My pharmacist at Shoppers Drug Mart is a total sweetheart.
kristen visser says
my family doesnt really go to the pharmacist or need to right now
Wanda Tracey says
This would be a blessing for many people who don’t have a doctor.I hope it comes to Ontario soon.
salexis says
Love getting optimum points! They add up!
Silvia D says
i dread waiting in a doctors office or even clinics,Shoppers Drug Mart offering this would be great, but i am not sure in my province this is available yet..will have to check it out!
Jamie hall says
Shoppers drugmart pharmacy is amazing
kathy downey says
I always get advice from our pharmacist it saves many trips to a DR.
Louise Gilbert says
our shoppers drugmart pharmacy has a great bunch of people. There are wonderful!
Elizabeth Matthiesen says
I don’t believe that we have that here yet but no doubt it will come as Drs are in high demand and there aren’t enough of them. I’m lucky I have a great Dr and normally can get in to see him on the same day as he no longer does appointments as such, fortunately it’s very rare that I need to go 🙂
MrsWhite says
I love the SDM Pharmacy. I always have questions whether it be about a new medication, or if I am looking for something specific and I am not sure if I can use a certain product because of ingredients {and health issues}. They are so helpful and nice!!
nicolthepickle says
This would make things much faster and easier.
Judy Cowan says
Don’t believe our pharmacists can do any prescribing yet but it would be handy if they could.
R Beach says
Interesting concept. We’ll see how it works out in the long run.
Tabby72 says
Our pharmacist has helped me with lots of questions that I’ve had over the years. They are a good resource!
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Autumn says
Pharmacists can be so helpful sometimes! They really take their time and try to help…I’ve received even better advice from them, then from my own doctor on a few occasions!
Florence C says
I always get help from the drug store pharmacist. He has saved me a few doctor’s appointments.
Julie says
I’ve never heard of this. I don’t believe this happens here in Ontario. It sure could be helpful though in certain situations!
Neal says
I wish this were available here. This could be very handy!
Suzanne G says
My drugstore pharmacist is great and very helpful with any questions I have. We are lucky enough to have a Shopper’s in our community and I love their stores.
Bo Simms says
This is a great article. I always trust my pharmacists, who can provide answers to questions about medications and ailments, including symptoms. They don’t just dispense medications, but are fully educated. It is great to know that they can evaluate minor ailments and prescribe something for it. Wonderful to know, thanks.
Aliya D says
We’re lucky in Alberta that our pharmacists can also assist us with minor ailments; we also have a health line that is accessible to all and where you can ask nurses general questions or directions to where we can find answers to our medical needs.
MOHAMMAD ANJUM says
would make things much faster
Elaine Buonsante says
I am comfortable consulting my pharmacists about my medications and choices for over the counter meds… but since I have several chronic health problems, I appreciate checking in with my family doctor for any issue. It is a way of keeping tabs on my health on a continuing basis with her.
Krista M says
I don’t like to waste health care dollars or time by going to the doctor for minor ailments. So it’s been very helpful to ask the pharmacist about simple things instead of wasting 3 hours at a walk-in clinic.
Elizabeth H. says
My pharmacist and I get along really well. I always ask questions if I need to and they are always helpful!
Janet P. says
The pharmacist is a great help to me answering questions I may have or finding the answer if need be.
Shannon Ganger says
It is too scary the idea mixing drugs and doses so the pharmacist is always so helpful!
Tricia Hope says
I have a relationship with my Pharmacist and regard her as a member of my health care team
Lori L. says
I’ve heard of this recently but didn’t really know the details so thanks for explaining! I wonder if we can take advantage of this in Manitoba?
Michelle Stevens says
I got a skin balm from the pharmacist for a skin condition that the doctors couldn’t help for years and years. It cleared up in 10 days :S
JaimeeM says
Ive needed the pharmacists help a couple of times. Always there to help!
LILLIAN BROWN says
would make things much faster and easier for me
Debbie W says
I always talk to my Pharmacist. They have great advice, and are not hurried like my physician
Jeannie says
We always talk to our pharmacist when we have questions. The one we go to is very nice and always has answers to what we need to know.
Anna says
My Shopper’s Drug Mart pharmacist is great, she always helps answer all our questions even if they are very minor.
Viv Sluys says
I love that we have a Shoppers just a 10 minute walk from our house. Otherwise we have to drive 25 minutes for whenever we can get an appointment with our busy doctor. Sometimes (often) it’s easier to just head over and ask our pharmacist.
yvonne says
I usually never end up talking to the Pharmacist because I rarely get prescribed medicine, but, it’s good to hear that you’ve had positive experiences.