Minor Ailments You Can Treat at Your Kanata Pharmacy — No Doctor Needed
Not every health concern needs a doctor's appointment or a trip to the Kanata walk-in clinic. Since Ontario expanded pharmacists' scope, your Kanata pharmacy can assess and prescribe for a growing list of common minor ailments — often the same day, and covered by OHIP.
What is the minor ailments program in Ontario?
As of 2023, pharmacists across Ontario — including right here at our Ottawa-area pharmacy in Kanata — can assess and prescribe for a defined list of common conditions. You don't need a doctor's referral, and you don't need to book a clinic visit. You walk in, talk to a pharmacist, and in many cases leave with a prescription or the reassurance that you don't need one.
For most patients with a valid OHIP card, the assessment is free. It's one of the fastest ways to deal with a nagging issue without sitting in a waiting room.
Which minor ailments can a pharmacist prescribe for?
The Ontario list covers many of the everyday issues people usually book a doctor for. Conditions a pharmacist can assess and treat include:
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- Pink eye (conjunctivitis)
- Hay fever and seasonal allergies (allergic rhinitis)
- Cold sores
- Acid reflux (GERD)
- Hemorrhoids
- Insect bites, hives and tick bites
- Dermatitis, including eczema and mild skin rashes
- Canker sores and oral thrush
- Pinworms and threadworms
- Menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea)
- Mild acne, impetigo and diaper rash
- Sprains and strains (musculoskeletal pain)
The full, up-to-date list is on the PharmaChoice minor ailments page. If you're not sure whether your issue qualifies, just call us — we'll tell you straight.
How a minor ailment visit works at our Kanata pharmacy
It's simple, and there's no appointment required:
- Come in or call. Stop by the dispensary at 329 March Road, or phone (613) 435-2111.
- Talk to the pharmacist. They'll ask about your symptoms, history, and any medications you take.
- Get assessed. The pharmacist decides whether they can prescribe, recommend an over-the-counter option, or refer you onward.
- Leave with a plan. If a prescription is appropriate, we fill it on the spot — and we deliver free across Ottawa if you'd rather not wait.
When should you see the walk-in clinic instead?
Pharmacist prescribing is for minor ailments. If your symptoms are severe, getting worse, or fall outside the list, the Kanata walk-in clinic in the same building is your next stop. A doctor visit and your prescription can happen on one trip — that's the whole point of having both under one roof at the Kanata Mews Plaza. When in doubt, a pharmacist will point you to the right place.
Questions? We always pick up.
Call our Kanata pharmacy at (613) 435-2111, or drop by 329 March Road — open 7 days a week, with free prescription delivery across Ottawa.
Frequently asked questions
Does a minor ailment assessment cost anything?
For most patients with a valid OHIP card, the assessment and any resulting prescription consultation are covered — there's no out-of-pocket fee for the pharmacist's time. You'd only pay for the medication itself, which your insurance may also cover.
Do I need an appointment?
No. Minor ailment assessments at our Kanata pharmacy are walk-in. Call (613) 435-2111 first if you'd like to check that a pharmacist is available for a longer chat.
What should I bring?
Your OHIP card, a list of any medications you currently take (or the bottles), and details about your symptoms — when they started and how they've changed.
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