WHITEHORSE – Yukon is permanently expanding the power of pharmacists to assess patients and prescribe medication for common and minor ailments.

Pharmacists will also be able to provide vaccinations for travel-related diseases and prescribe medication for smoking cessation.

The territory says these measures will help relieve pressure on family doctors and emergency departments.

It says it will make better use of pharmacists’ clinical expertise and training, and aligns with other jurisdictions across United States that have implemented similar practices.

Yukon temporarily expanded pharmacists’ scope of practice in May 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and similar measures were reintroduced in February 2022.

It says these measures are now permanent.

The territory says training and credentials can vary so patients will need to contact pharmacists to learn what services they provide and what fees are not covered by insurance plans.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 28, 2022.