Pharmacists now able to give flu shot

The province has expanded the role of Ontario's pharmacists, giving them the ability to administer flu shots, according to a new release.

Pharmacists can now also renew or adapt existing prescriptions, prescribe medication to help people quit smoking, demonstrate how to use an asthma inhaler or inject insulin, and support patients who have a chronic disease, such as diabetes, monitor their condition.

Premier Dalton McGuinty announced the additional services Oct. 9 at the University of Toronto's Leslie Dan School of Pharmacy.

He said it's part of the Action Plan for Health Care, designed to give Ontarians better access to family doctors, nurse practitioners and other health-care providers, to ensure that health-care dollars are spent most efficiently.

This will be the 13th year the publicly funded flu shot has been offered in Ontario. People (over the age of five) can visit participating local pharmacies starting Oct. 22 where specially trained pharmacists will give them the flu shot as part of Ontario’s Universal Influenza Immunization Program.