Medication Information
Accessing non-prescription medications
Minor ailments Health conditions that can be managed with minimal treatment and/or self-care strategies for which you may not need to see your doctor. are health conditions that can be treated with minimal treatment and/or with self-care strategies. Minor ailments Health conditions that can be managed with minimal treatment and/or self-care strategies for which you may not need to see your doctor. are usually short-term conditions that do not require lab results or long-term follow-up. There are no medication or medical history red flags that could suggest a more serious condition and there is a low risk of treatment masking underlying conditions. In Ontario, a pharmacist can assess for certain minor ailments Health conditions that can be managed with minimal treatment and/or self-care strategies for which you may not need to see your doctor. and prescribe treatments if needed.
Examples of minor ailments Health conditions that can be managed with minimal treatment and/or self-care strategies for which you may not need to see your doctor. include:
- Gastrophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Canker sores
- Hemorrhoids
- Insect bites and urticaria (hives)
- Musculoskeletal sprains and strains
- Urinary tract infections (uncomplicated)
Using non-prescription medications Medications that you can get without a prescription. May include over-the-counter medications and natural health products. , like over-the-counter A medication that can be bought without a prescription (doctor’s orders). For example, acetaminophen. medications or natural health products Naturally occurring substances that can be used in products to maintain or restore health. Common natural health products include vitamins, minerals, and substances that come from a natural source (e.g., omega-3 fatty acids). , can be effective for self-management of minor ailments Health conditions that can be managed with minimal treatment and/or self-care strategies for which you may not need to see your doctor. . Natural health products Naturally occurring substances that can be used in products to maintain or restore health. Common natural health products include vitamins, minerals, and substances that come from a natural source (e.g., omega-3 fatty acids). are regulated differently from over-the-counter A medication that can be bought without a prescription (doctor’s orders). For example, acetaminophen. medications (which are medications that can be sold without a prescription).
Methods of Accessing Non-Prescription Medications
- Online
- Pharmacy (e.g. local pharmacy, chain pharmacy, pharmacy in retail store)
- Health food stores
Buying Medications Online
There are some options to buy medications online which may seem convenient and cost-effective. However, it is important to do this with caution. Many websites selling medications are not registered as pharmacies so buying from them is potentially unsafe and medications purchased could be dangerous to your health.
There are two ways to check if your online pharmacy is registered:
- For websites that list a Canadian address, check with the pharmacy regulatory authority for that province or territory to verify if the pharmacy is licensed. For example, if a website provides an Ontario address as its pharmacy location, check with the pharmacy regulatory authority of Ontario to see if the pharmacy is licensed. Here is a list of Canadian Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities.
- If no Canadian address is provided, check whether the online pharmacy is part of the Pharmacy Verified Websites Program which helps identify legitimate pharmacies.
References
Better Health Channel. (2015, October 20). Safe medication use. https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/servicesandsupport/safe-medication-use
Health Canada. (2006, December 15). Government of Canada. Canada.ca. https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/healthy-living/your-health/medical-information/safe-use-natural-health-products.html
NHS. (2023, October 10). Medicines information. NHS. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/medicines-information/
Ontario College of Pharmacists. (2024, March 20). Minor ailments Health conditions that can be managed with minimal treatment and/or self-care strategies for which you may not need to see your doctor. . OCPInfo.com. https://www.ocpinfo.com/practice-education/expanded-scope-of-practice/minor-ailment/