Changes to Pharmacy Regulations Effective Tomorrow

  • Health and Community Services

January 30, 2020

Starting January 31, 2020, amendments to regulations under the Pharmacy Act, 2012 will allow pharmacists to prescribe for Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis A and B (including the TWINRIX vaccine), shingles (Herpes Zoster), Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and chickenpox (Varicella Zoster). Newfoundlanders and Labradorians will be able to visit their local pharmacy for any of these vaccines without requiring a prescription from a physician.

People should contact their pharmacist in advance, as some locations may charge a fee to provide this service, in addition to the cost of the vaccination.

Private insurance companies may provide coverage for the vaccines, however people should contact them directly with questions regarding their individual plans.

The new amendments to the regulations do not affect the publicly-funded immunization program for school aged-children, where vaccinations for Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and chickenpox (Varicella Zoster) are provided free of charge.

Quotes
“This is another convenient option for people wanting these vaccines. The changes are in keeping with government’s commitment to improve access to primary health care. This is another step enabling health professionals to work to their full scope of practice.”
Honourable John Haggie
Minister of Health and Community Services

“These additions to scope of practice will benefit the public in accessing health care in a safe and reliable way that makes sense, and utilizes the proper resources we have in our communities. The amendments to the regulations are a step in the right direction and the Newfoundland and Labrador Pharmacy Board is dedicating the next three years to identifying ways to support registrants practicing to full scope, so Newfoundlanders and Labradorians have a positive patient experience at their pharmacies.”
Margot Priddle
Newfoundland and Labrador Pharmacy Board Registrar

“Pharmacists are well positioned within their communities to provide this important service to their patients. The Pharmacists’ Association of Newfoundland and Labrador welcomes these additions to pharmacists’ current scope of practice. Our association looks forward to continuing to work with the Newfoundland and Labrador Pharmacy Board and the Department of Health and Community Services on enabling pharmacists in this province to practice to their full scope for the benefit of all residents.”
Janice Audeau
President, Pharmacists’ Association of Newfoundland and Labrador

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Entrée en vigueur des modifications au règlement sur la pharmacie

Learn more
Information on Newfoundland and Labrador’s Publicly-funded Immunization Program

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Media contacts
Kathy Dicks-Peyton
Health and Community Services
709-729-6986, 699-1982
kathydickspeyton@gov.nl.ca

Amanda Martin
Newfoundland and Labrador Pharmacy Board
709-753-5877 ext.107, 746-6614
amartin@nlpb.ca

Jennifer Collingwood
Pharmacists’ Association of Newfoundland and Labrador
709-753-7881
jcollingwood@panl.net

2020 01 30 11:15 am