28 conditions — no appointment needed — no cost with a valid health card
Pharmacists in Nova Scotia can assess and prescribe for 28 common conditions. You don’t need an appointment — walk into any participating pharmacy, meet privately with the pharmacist, and get treated on the spot.
Many ER visits in Nova Scotia are for conditions your pharmacist can handle in minutes, without the wait.
Your pharmacist in Nova Scotia can assess and prescribe for all of the following:
Found your condition above? A pharmacist can treat it — often same day, no ER wait.
Book a pharmacist visit near youLong ER wait for something your pharmacist can treat?
Check Nova Scotia ER wait times →No cost with a valid NS Health Card at Community Pharmacy Primary Care Clinics (CPPCC). Fees may apply at other pharmacies.
Medication costs are separate and may be covered by your provincial drug plan or private insurance.
Walk in to any participating pharmacy. No appointment needed.
Meet with the pharmacist in a private counselling room. They’ll ask about your symptoms, medical history, and current medications.
The pharmacist prescribes medication if appropriate, which can be filled at any pharmacy. Or they may recommend an over-the-counter treatment.
The pharmacist may follow up to check on your progress. If your primary care provider is on file, they’ll be notified of the assessment.
Drug shortages hit Nova Scotia pharmacies just like everywhere else in Canada: hundreds of medications are in short supply at any given time, and pharmacists routinely substitute brands or adjust prescriptions because of it. If a prescription has been hard to fill, you can look up its status on rxstat.ca, a Canadian drug shortage tracker based on the shortage reports manufacturers file with Health Canada.
Your pharmacist cannot treat emergency conditions. Call 911 or go to the nearest ER for:
Not sure? Call 811 — a registered nurse can help you decide. Free, confidential, 24/7.
If your condition needs the ER, check current wait times before you go.