Common Ailments
What is a common ailment?
Common ailments are uncomplicated, short-term conditions that don’t require lab tests or blood work and can often be managed with minimal treatment. They are sometimes referred to as minor ailments, but using the term common ailment helps remind us: these are common conditions that many people experience, and even if they seem minor, they should be assessed and not ignored. In fact, the sooner you treat your common ailment the better, and your Pharmasave pharmacist can help you.
Here are some examples of common ailments: seasonal allergies, acne, canker sores, cold sores, cough and cold, dandruff, fungal infections, hemorrhoids, hives/bug-bites/stings, nicotine dependence, pink eye, skin conditions (dermatitis), urinary tract (bladder) infections, vaginal yeast infections
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How can my pharmacist help?
Pharmasave offers common ailment services across the country. Your Pharmasave pharmacist can assess your symptoms and recommend treatments. Often this means you won’t need a visit to a medical clinic. If it’s a delicate situation or you are embarrassed to talk about it, you can ask for a private consultation, and your Pharmasave pharmacist will discuss with you in a comfortable and confidential setting.
A common ailment may be treated with “at-home” or self-care treatments, with over-the-counter medication treatments, or with prescription medication.
Contact your local Pharmasave pharmacist to discuss your common ailment and find out which treatment is best for you.
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What if I need a prescription?
In some cases, your Pharmasave pharmacist may recommend a prescription treatment instead of an over-the-counter medication or at-home treatment – this might mean a visit to the medical clinic.
However, in some provinces, pharmacists can prescribe medications for certain common ailments, which means you might not need to make that extra trip.
The common ailments a pharmacist can prescribe for depends on the province*. For more details, view the Canadian Pharmacists Association’s chart: Common Ailments Prescribing in Canada. Keep in mind that Pharmacists’ prescribing authority is expanding and this list may not be complete.
To learn more about how your pharmacist can help, visit your local Pharmasave store and speak with your Pharmasave pharmacist.
*Note that common ailments prescribing is not always covered by provincial health care – a pharmacy fee may apply.
