Home / Health / Sask. Pharmacists Now Treat Strep & Ear Infections
Sask. Pharmacists Now Treat Strep & Ear Infections
12 Sep
Summary
- Over 100 Saskatchewan pharmacies now provide strep throat and ear infection services.
- Pharmacists can assess symptoms, test, and prescribe medication for these infections.
- Services expand by January 2027 to 34 communities across the province.
Over 100 pharmacies across Saskatchewan have begun offering new clinical services to assess and treat common infections. These select locations are now authorized to provide services for both strep throat and ear infections.
Pharmacists at these sites have received specialized training. They can now evaluate patient symptoms, perform rapid strep throat testing, and issue prescriptions for appropriate treatments. This initiative is part of the province's effort to enhance healthcare accessibility.
The provincial government announced the expansion, with all eligible pharmacies that applied in July having been accepted. By January 2027, the program will extend to 34 communities. A total of 71 pharmacies will offer services for both strep throat and ear infections, while an additional 31 will focus solely on ear infection care.
Rural and Remote Health Minister Lori Carr highlighted the program's alignment with the "Patients First Plan," emphasizing improved and timely access to care close to home. Funding for these expanded services has been incorporated into the 2026-2029 Pharmacy Proprietor Agreement.
This expansion builds on a pilot project launched in January 2025, which aimed to broaden the roles of pharmacists. That pilot project has already seen over 1,000 services delivered across Saskatchewan. The province has over 1,400 practicing pharmacists among its 428 licensed community pharmacies.
