The New Brunswick Pharmacists’ Association has something of a solution to the problem of crowded hospital emergency rooms.
It says since 2014 pharmacists have been able to assess, treat and prescribe medication for 32 minor ailments like sore throat and UTIs. Executive Director Paul Blanchard says depending on where you are as many as 50 to 60-percent of people visiting emergency rooms are there for non-urgent issues.
“It could be related to things like bug bites in the summer, or cold sores – yes people do go to the emergency room for cold sores – or allergies and in New Brunswick urinary tract infections,” says Blanchard. “So these are all things pharmacists can help assess with.”
Blanchard says it’s fair to say that a lot of New Brunswickers don’t really know what pharmacists can do. He says they put a social media campaign forward to raise awareness and notes you’ll see posters and pamphlets in the pharmacy promoting the services.
The hospital in Moncton is working to divert people with non-urgent medical needs from the emergency room and this week the Campbellton Regional Hospital told non urgent patients that they could expect long wait times.
Blanchard says pharmacists are highly-trained and educated health care professionals.
