Quebec expands pharmacists’ responsibilities

Quebec’s Bill 41, which increases pharmacists’ professional responsibilities, was adopted on Dec. 8. The bill permits pharmacists, under regulation by the Quebec Order of Pharmacists, to extend and adapt prescriptions, treat some minor conditions, order and analyze lab tests and administer medication for the purpose of instruction.

Pharmacists can also carry out therapeutic substitution—that is, substitute a prescribed medication with another medication of the same therapeutic sub-class—during inventory shortages across Quebec.