Prescribing for Minor Ailments – New Conditions 2026
Get prepared to prescribe for the latest series of minor ailments with this expert-led online course. Created in partnership with the University of Waterloo, this course provides top-notch instruction on the new 2026 minor ailments from leading pharmacy educators. The course has been designed in consultation with academic experts and learners themselves, and we have streamlined and optimized the learning experience to best support pharmacists with busy schedules.
Volume discounts available when you purchase 10 or more! For more information contact [email protected].
For a limited-time, save up to $50.00 on this course.
$129.00
Description
Description:
With the new Ontario scope expansion in 2026, pharmacists can now prescribe for additional minor ailments. This course will support your practice by preparing you to prescribe for seven additional minor ailments.
Created in partnership with The University of Waterloo (UW) with Dr. Nardine Nakhla as the academic lead, this course expands on the content of the original minor ailments authorizations and equips pharmacists with the necessary knowledge and skills to confidently prescribe and assess for additional minor ailments. Written by leading academic experts and educators, this course provides a comprehensive understanding of select minor ailments, processes for assessing patients and the structure pharmacists should implement when providing minor ailment services.
OPA/UW completed a needs assessment, and based on that feedback, this course was developed with modules on seven minor ailments. These include:
- Verrucae (vulgaris and plantar warts)
- Xerophthalmia (dry eye)
- Acute pharyngitis (sore throat)*
- Acute insomnia (minor sleep disorders)*
- Herpes Zoster (shingles)*
- Onychomycosis (fungal nail infection)*
- Otitis externa (swimmer’s ear)*
This curriculum was intentionally designed to streamline the learning process, focusing on only those ailments which merit deeper instruction.
*The government has not yet approved the regulations for these 5 minor ailments but is expected to in early 2027. These modules are included in the price of this course, and the modules will become available closer to the time of the scope approval for these.
Learning Objectives:
For each minor ailment condition, participants should be able to*:
- Describe the pathophysiology
- Identify possible causes and risk factors
- Apply the Pharmacists’ Patient Care Process (PPCP) necessary for a patient consultation
*Note, specific learning objectives for each individual module may differ slightly.
Course Outline:
The course includes a total of 8 modules, designed for self-directed learning. Note that you will receive a letter of completion for every unit you successfully finish.
- Introduction to Minor Ailment Assessment and Prescribing (not accredited)
- Verrucae (vulgaris and plantar) warts
- Xerophthalmia (dry eye)
- Acute pharyngitis*
- Acute insomnia *
- Herpes Zoster (shingles)*
- Onychomycosis (fungal nail infection)*
- Otitis externa (swimmer’s ear)*
* The government has not yet approved the regulations for these minor ailments. The modules will become available closer to the time of the expected scope approval (early 2027).
Copyright Statement
All rights, including copyright, in the content of the course are owned by the University of Waterloo, Ontario Pharmacists Association and the authors, unless otherwise stated. The use of the course material is for the registered student only. Not to be copied or distributed without written permission from the University of Waterloo and Ontario Pharmacists Association. Permission inquiries should be addressed to: [email protected].
Acknowledgement
The patient care wheel image and process used in the course were adapted (with permission) from the Joint Commission of Pharmacy Practitioners (https://jcpp.net).
Our Commitment:
OPA is committed to providing high-quality, accurate, and unbiased educational content, tools, and resources for healthcare professionals and patients. Learn more about our process for content development and what it means to be a CCCEP accredited provider here.
Cancellation Policy:
Please refer to OPA’s Terms and Conditions of Purchase for cancellation policies.
Course at a Glance:
Who Should Take This Course:
This course is intended for pharmacists. This course is also open to healthcare providers who are interested in and would benefit from the content of this program.
This course does not focus on the legal requirements for pharmacists prescribing for minor ailments in each jurisdiction. Please refer to the regulatory authority in your jurisdiction for more information.
Looking for education on the 19 minor ailments that Ontario pharmacists received scope for in 2023? See: Prescribing for Minor Ailments – Full 19 Conditions and Prescribing for Minor Ailments (October 2023 Authorization).
Development Team:
Academic Lead
Nardine Nakhla, PharmD
Nardine Nakhla, PharmD, is a pharmacist, academic, and health technology entrepreneur advancing clinical service delivery in community pharmacy. She is CEO and Co-Founder of MAPflow, a clinical decision support platform operating across 2,200+ pharmacy locations in nine Canadian provinces.
Nardine is an Associate Professor at the University of Waterloo School of Pharmacy, where she teaches and conducts scholarship in minor ailment management, self-care, jurisprudence, and professional practice. She contributed to the regulatory development of Ontario’s minor ailment prescribing framework and has trained thousands of pharmacy professionals on its implementation. Dr. Nakhla was named one of WXN’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women in Canada (2025).
Authors
Brett Barrett, BScH, BScPhm
Brett Barrett is an Associate Professor (Teaching Stream) at the University of Waterloo School of Pharmacy, where she teaches infectious disease pharmacotherapy and holds a clinical appointment at Grand River Hospital.
A two-time teaching award recipient — recognized by both the School of Pharmacy (2021) and the Faculty of Science (2025) — she brings over twenty years of clinical and academic experience to her continuing education work. Her OPA modules address the assessment and management of impetigo, Lyme disease prophylaxis, urinary tract infection, and onychomycosis.
Emily Black, BScPhm, ACPR, PharmD
Dr. Emily Black completed a Bachelor of Science (Pharmacy) from Dalhousie University in 2007, a pharmacy residency through Capital Health/Dalhousie University in 2008, and a post-graduate PharmD from the University of British Columbia in 2011.
Dr. Black is an Associate Professor in the College of Pharmacy, Dalhousie University. She maintains a research program and has secured over $1 million in funding to advance infectious disease management through antimicrobial stewardship and improved vaccine uptake. In addition, she holds a cross-appointment with IWK Health, providing clinical pharmacy services in the emergency department, and works as a casual pharmacist with Nova Scotia Health.
Kenny Chong, BScPhm, PharmD, MHI
Kenny obtained his pharmacy education from the University of Toronto. He is currently Director, Clinical Innovation at MAPflow, where he designs clinical tools to enable pharmacists to deliver high-quality prescribing services.
Kenny has over 15 years of clinical experience in community pharmacy, served as Clinical Lecturer for the PharmD program at the University of Toronto, Coordinator for the International Pharmacy Graduate program, and is currently a panel member for the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada.
Laurie Graham, MN NP Pediatrics
Laurie is a University of Toronto graduate with a Master of Nursing and is a practicing NP specializing in Pediatrics.
Currently, Laurie is the Coordinator of the Nurse Practitioner Program at Dalhousie University and is actively involved with continuing education projects with the College of Pharmacy at Dalhousie University along with the Pharmacist Association of Nova Scotia.
Manjit Hansra, BScPhm, RPh, CDE
Manjit graduated from the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy at the University of Toronto in 2003 and has served as a clinical instructor there since 2006.
With a passion for diabetes care, he earned his Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE) designation in 2011.
After owning and operating pharmacies in Toronto for 19 years, Manjit transitioned into his current roles as a consultant, speaker, and clinical pharmacist. He is also the founder of Rx for Renewal, where he designs and facilitates programs that help healthcare leaders and pharmacists prevent and manage burnout.
Sherilyn Houle, BSP, PhD, CTH, AFTM RCPS(Glasg), FISTM
Sherilyn received her pharmacy degree from the University of Saskatchewan and PhD from the University of Alberta. She also holds a Certificate in Travel Health from the International Society of Travel Medicine and has been recognized as an ISTM Fellow.
Her practice experience spans hospital, home care, community pharmacy, and an international travel and immunizations clinic. She is currently an Associate Professor at the University of Waterloo School of Pharmacy with a focus on pharmacy practice to full scope, particularly in the areas of immunization and travel medicine. She is the chair of the Pharmacists Professional Group at the International Society of Travel Medicine and is a member of the Ontario Immunization Advisory Committee.
Sarah MacIver, OD, FAAO, FCCSO
Dr. Sarah MacIver is an associate clinical professor, director of continuing professional development, head of the ocular disease and imaging service and ocular disease residency supervisor at the University of Waterloo, School of Optometry and Vision Science.
She has a special interest in the treatment and management of chronic ocular disease, specifically glaucoma, retina and dry eye. She has been invited to speak at various continuing education events internationally including interprofessional conferences to share clinical expertise on ocular disease management. She is a fellow of the Canadian College of Specialists in Ontario, American Academy of Optometry, program chair of the Glaucoma Section the American Academy of Optometry and a board member of the Optometric Glaucoma Society.
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