Expanded Scope Activities Now in Effect

As of today, July 1, 2026, changes to the scope of practice for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians are in effect. Continue reading to learn how these changes may impact you.  

Pharmacists and interns are now authorized to assess and prescribe for nine additional minor ailments:  

• Calluses and corns
• Dandruff (seborrheic dermatitis)
• Dry eye (xeropthalmia, dry eye disease)
• Head lice (pediculosis)
• Jock itch (tinea cruris)
• Mild headache (tension-type)
• Nasal congestion (viral rhinitis, rhinosinusitis) 
• Ringworm (tinea corporis) 
• Warts (verrucae – vulgaris, plantar; excluding face and genitals)  

Review the complete list of minor ailments pharmacists and interns can assess and prescribe for.

Drugs that can be prescribed for specific minor ailments are outlined in Schedule 4 of O. Reg. 256/24 under the Pharmacy Act, 1991. Resources to support minor ailments prescribing, including clinical-based continuing education, are found on our minor ailments prescribing webpage.

Pharmacy technicians and intern technicians are now authorized to administer all vaccines listed in Schedule 3 of O. Reg. 256/24 under the Pharmacy Act, 1991, provided they complete a College-approved injection training course and register this training with the College. As of March 31, 2027, pharmacy technicians and intern technicians administering injections must also hold CPR & first aid certification and declare this certification with the College.

Before a vaccine is administered, the patient must be assessed by a pharmacist to determine the therapeutic appropriateness of the vaccine. A pharmacy technician or intern technician cannot complete the therapeutic check. Pharmacy technicians and intern technicians must be supervised by a pharmacist or another healthcare professional who has CPR & first aid certification.

Additional Resources
To support you in applying these changes in practice, we have developed an information hub. It includes:  

• A summary of the changes
• FAQs tailored to different audiences
• A list of minor ailments    
• A list of drugs that can be prescribed for specific minor ailments
• A link to our minor ailments prescribing webpage
• An injection authority table 
• A vaccine administration resource