You wake up with that familiar burning feeling. Or your eye is red and crusted. Or a cold sore is starting. Your first instinct might be to book a doctor’s appointment — or sit in a walk-in clinic for two hours. There’s another option, and most people in Cornell and Markham don’t know it exists yet. Your pharmacist can assess you and prescribe treatment, right here, covered by OHIP.
What Is a Minor Ailment Assessment?
In Ontario, pharmacists are now authorized to assess and prescribe for 19 common health conditions. These are conditions that don’t need a doctor visit to diagnose — they have clear symptoms, well-established treatments, and a low risk of serious complications when caught early.
The assessment is done by your pharmacist, one on one. We ask you questions, look at your symptoms, and decide whether the condition fits the criteria. If it does, we can prescribe directly. If something looks more complicated, we’ll tell you and refer you to the right person. No runaround. No wasted trip.
It’s covered by OHIP, so there’s no out-of-pocket cost for the assessment itself.
Which Conditions Are Included?
Here’s a sample of what Ontario pharmacists can currently assess and prescribe for:
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs) — that burning, urgent feeling when you urinate
- Pink eye (allergic or bacterial conjunctivitis) — redness, discharge, or itching in the eye
- Cold sores (oral herpes simplex) — the tingling blister on or around the lip
- Allergic rhinitis — runny nose, sneezing, congestion from seasonal or year-round allergies
- Tick bites — post-exposure prevention when caught early
- Hemorrhoids, impetigo, insect bites, oral thrush, and more
The full list of 19 conditions is set by the province. If you’re not sure whether your situation qualifies, just call us or walk in. We’ll tell you quickly whether we can help or whether you need a different route.
How Does the Visit Actually Work?
It’s straightforward. Walk in during our open hours, or call ahead if you’d prefer. One of our pharmacists — Omar or Amal — will sit down with you in a private consultation area.
We’ll ask about your symptoms, how long you’ve had them, your medical history, and any medications you’re already taking. The whole assessment usually takes 15 to 20 minutes. If a prescription is appropriate, we write it and fill it on the spot. You leave with your treatment the same visit.
No referral needed. No waiting for a callback. No second stop.
We do keep a record of the assessment in your file, and we’ll share a note with your family doctor if you have one — so your care stays coordinated.
Is This the Same as Seeing a Doctor?
For these 19 specific conditions, yes — in terms of the prescription outcome, it’s equivalent. Pharmacists in Ontario have undergone additional training and are authorized by the province to do this work.
That said, we’re not replacing your family doctor. If your symptoms are unusual, getting worse quickly, or suggest something beyond a minor ailment, we’ll say so. Our job is to make sure you get the right care, not just fast care.
If you have questions about a specific medication that gets prescribed, you can also read more about how we approach medication reviews. And if you’re managing ongoing conditions like allergies year-round, our allergies health guide has useful background.
Who Can Use This Service?
Any Ontario resident with a valid health card. Age 2 and up for most assessments. You don’t need to be an existing patient at our pharmacy — though we’d love to be your regular spot.
If you already get your prescriptions filled with us, even better. We’ll have your medication history on file, which makes the assessment quicker and safer.
Come In — We’ll Sort It Out
If something’s come up and you’re wondering whether it’s worth a walk-in clinic trip, give us a call first at 905-201-1497. Nine times out of ten, we can tell you over the phone whether it’s something we can handle here.
We’re at 3028 Bur Oak Avenue in Cornell, Markham — street-level entrance, free parking out front. Open Monday to Friday from 9:30am (Friday until 5pm), and Saturday 10am to 3pm.
Sometimes the fastest path to feeling better is already on your street.