Minor Ailments

Updated March 11, 2025
As of October 1, 2023, Ontario pharmacists are authorized to prescribe medications for 19 minor ailments that include:

• Acne
• Allergic rhinitis
• Aphthous Ulcers (canker sores)
• Candidal stomatitis (oral thrush)
• Conjunctivitis (bacterial, allergic and viral)
• Dermatitis (atopic, eczema, allergic and contact)
• Diaper dermatitis
• Dysmenorrhea
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Hemorrhoids
• Herpes labialis (cold sores)
• Impetigo
• Insect bites and urticaria (hives)
• Tick bites, post-exposure prophylaxis to prevent Lyme disease
• Musculoskeletal sprains and strains
• Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy
• Pinworms and threadworms
• Urinary tract infections (uncomplicated)
• Vulvovaginal candidiasis (yeast infection)

Minor ailments are described as health conditions that can be managed with minimal treatment and/or self-care strategies. Additional criteria include:

• Usually a short-term condition
• Lab results aren’t usually required
• Low risk of treatment masking underlying conditions
• No medication or medical history red flags that could suggest a more serious condition
• Only minimal or short-term follow-up is required