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I.D.A.St. MaryPharmacy

Pharmacist prescribing in Ontario

28 conditions our pharmacist can treat today.

Since January 2023, pharmacists in Ontario have been able to assess and prescribe for a defined list of common conditions — now 28 of them. For anything on this list, you can walk into St. Mary Pharmacy, be seen in about fifteen minutes, and leave with treatment in hand — no doctor's appointment, no clinic queue, and no charge with a valid Ontario health card.

Call (905) 315-8008Get directions

The full list

What we can assess and prescribe for

These are the conditions covered by Ontario's minor ailments program. Eligibility still depends on the pharmacist's assessment — age, pregnancy, other medications and how long you've had symptoms all matter.

Skin & irritation

8 conditions

  • Acne

    Mild acne

    Prescription-strength options when cleansers and benzoyl peroxide have plateaued.

  • Calluses & corns

    Thickened, painful skin from pressure or friction — so walking stops dictating your day.

  • Dermatitis & eczema

    Atopic, allergic and contact dermatitis

    Dry, inflamed, itchy patches of skin, including flare-ups from a new soap, metal or plant.

  • Diaper rash

    Diaper dermatitis

    Persistent or yeast-complicated rash that barrier creams alone haven't cleared.

  • Cold sores

    Herpes labialis

    Treated fastest at the first tingle, so you can be seen the same day rather than waiting.

  • Insect bites & hives

    Insect bites and urticaria

    Swollen, intensely itchy reactions to bites, stings or an unidentified trigger.

  • Dandruff

    Seborrheic dermatitis

    Flaking, redness and itch in the scalp, brows or beard that ordinary shampoo won't shift.

  • Warts

    Verrucae — common and plantar

    Common and plantar warts. Warts on the face or genitals are excluded and need a physician.

Eyes, nose & mouth

6 conditions

  • Hay fever

    Allergic rhinitis

    Seasonal sneezing, congestion and itchy, watery eyes that antihistamines alone aren't settling.

  • Canker sores

    Aphthous ulcers

    Painful mouth ulcers that make eating and talking miserable.

  • Oral thrush

    Candidal stomatitis

    White patches in the mouth or on the tongue, often after antibiotics or an inhaled steroid.

  • Pink eye

    Bacterial, allergic or viral conjunctivitis

    Red, gritty, weeping eyes — one of the most common reasons people end up in a walk-in clinic.

  • Dry eye

    Xerophthalmia, dry eye disease

    Gritty, burning, tired eyes that drops off the shelf haven't settled.

  • Nasal congestion & sinus trouble

    Viral rhinitis, rhinosinusitis

    The blocked, streaming nose of a cold that's dragged on longer than it should have.

Stomach & digestion

2 conditions

  • Acid reflux

    GERD / heartburn

    Burning behind the breastbone, sour regurgitation, or heartburn that keeps coming back.

  • Hemorrhoids

    Discomfort, itching or bleeding — assessed discreetly and without any fuss.

Infections & infestations

6 conditions

  • Impetigo

    The crusty, honey-coloured school-age skin infection that spreads quickly without treatment.

  • Head lice

    Pediculosis

    The note home from school. Sorted for the whole household without a doctor's appointment.

  • Pinworms & threadworms

    The night-time itch that races through a household — treated for the whole family.

  • Tick bites

    Post-exposure prophylaxis to prevent Lyme disease

    Preventive antibiotics after a tick bite — time-sensitive, so come in as soon as you can.

  • Ringworm

    Tinea corporis

    The spreading, ring-shaped rash. Nothing to do with worms, and straightforward to clear.

  • Jock itch

    Tinea cruris

    Itchy, raw fungal rash in the groin. Assessed discreetly, no appointment needed.

Aches & injuries

2 conditions

  • Mild headache

    Tension-type headache

    The band-around-the-head ache — and an honest word on when a headache needs more than us.

  • Sprains & strains

    Musculoskeletal sprains and strains

    A rolled ankle or pulled muscle that needs stronger relief than a drugstore shelf offers.

Women's health

4 conditions

  • Menstrual cramps

    Dysmenorrhea

    Period pain that over-the-counter pain relief isn't keeping on top of.

  • Nausea & vomiting in pregnancy

    Morning sickness relief that's safe in pregnancy, without waiting for an OB appointment.

  • Urinary tract infections

    Uncomplicated UTI

    Burning and urgency assessed and treated today, without a clinic waiting room.

  • Yeast infection

    Vulvovaginal candidiasis

    Assessed and treated confidentially, no appointment and no referral needed.

This list reflects Ontario’s minor ailments program. It is general information, not a diagnosis — the pharmacist decides case by case whether prescribing is appropriate for you. For chest pain, difficulty breathing, a severe allergic reaction or any sudden severe symptom, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.

How a visit works

Fifteen minutes, start to finish.

Most people are surprised how quick it is. Here's exactly what happens when you walk in.

  1. 01

    Walk in and ask for the pharmacist

    No appointment, no referral, no waiting room. Come any time we're open — if there's a short wait we'll tell you honestly how long.

  2. 02

    A ten-minute assessment

    We'll ask about your symptoms, your history, your allergies and everything else you take. If it's something you'd rather not discuss within earshot, say so and we'll find somewhere quieter.

  3. 03

    A prescription, or an honest referral

    If it's treatable here, the pharmacist prescribes and we fill it on the spot. If you need a doctor, we'll say so and point you to the right place.

  4. 04

    Your doctor is kept informed

    With your consent, we send a note to your primary care provider so the assessment and any prescription end up on your record.

Covered by OHIPNo fee for the assessment
No appointmentWalk in during opening hours
ConfidentialAsk and we'll find somewhere quieter

Before you come in

Bring these three things.

None of them are essential, but they make the assessment faster and the advice better.

  • Your Ontario health cardThis is what makes the assessment free. Without it we can still see you, but there may be a fee.
  • Everything you takePrescriptions, over-the-counter products, vitamins and supplements. If you already fill with us, we have this.
  • A photo, if it's a rash or an eyeSymptoms have a habit of easing off on the drive over. A picture taken at their worst genuinely helps.

Common questions

Do I need an appointment for a minor ailment assessment?
No. Walk in any time we're open and ask for the pharmacist. Most assessments take about 10 to 15 minutes. If we're mid-prescription when you arrive, we'll give you a realistic wait time rather than leaving you guessing.
How much does it cost?
Minor ailment assessments are covered by OHIP for anyone with a valid Ontario health card, so there is no fee for the assessment itself. If the pharmacist prescribes a medication, the medication is billed the same way any other prescription would be — through your drug plan, ODB, or privately.
What should I bring?
Your Ontario health card, a list of the medications and supplements you take, and any allergies. If the condition is visible, it helps to be able to show it — or bring a clear photo taken when the symptoms were at their worst.
Can the pharmacist prescribe antibiotics?
Yes, where the assessment supports it. Uncomplicated urinary tract infections, impetigo, bacterial pink eye and tick-bite prophylaxis can all result in an antibiotic prescription when you meet the clinical criteria.
What if my condition isn't on the list, or it's more serious?
The pharmacist will tell you plainly and point you to the right place — your family doctor, a walk-in clinic, Burlington's urgent care, or an emergency department if that's what's warranted. An honest referral is part of the service, and there's no charge for being told you need to be seen elsewhere.
Does the pharmacist tell my family doctor?
Yes. With your consent, a record of the assessment and anything prescribed is sent to your primary care provider so your chart stays complete.
Can a pharmacist renew my existing prescriptions too?
Yes. Ontario pharmacists can extend or adapt most ongoing prescriptions when you're between doctor's appointments, so you don't have to go without your regular medication. Call us and we'll sort it out.

Not sure whether we can help with yours?

Call and ask. It takes a minute, it costs nothing, and we’ll tell you straight away whether to come in or go elsewhere.

(905) 315-8008Hours & directions