Minor Ailments & Contraception Service
Take Care of Minor Ailments and Get Contraception Help – Right at Your Pharmacy!
Feeling under the weather but don’t need a doctor’s appointment? British Columbia residents have a convenient option – the Minor Ailments and Contraception Service (MACS) offered by Central Drugs pharmacies. MACS empowers pharmacists to assess and treat 21 common minor ailments, as well as provide contraception services. This program allows you to access quality healthcare closer to home, saving you time and potentially avoiding a trip to the doctor’s office.
Here are some of the minor ailments a Central Drugs pharmacist can help you with through MACS:
Allergies
Alleviate symptoms of hay fever and allergic rhinitis with medication recommendations.
Bladder Infection / UTI
Get assessed and treated for uncomplicated UTIs with antibiotics (if appropriate).
Canker Sores & Cold Sores
Find relief from these uncomfortable mouth sores with topical medications.
Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)
Treat non-bacterial pink eye with recommended eye drops.
Constipation
Get help finding the right over-the-counter laxatives for occasional constipation relief.
Cough & Cold
Ease symptoms with pharmacist-recommended cough suppressants, decongestants, and other over-the-counter medications.
Diaper Rash
Soothe your baby’s diaper rash with pharmacist-approved creams and ointments.
Earache
Find relief from mild to moderate earaches with pain relievers and other recommendations.
Fungal Skin Infections (Athlete’s Foot, Ringworm)
Treat these common fungal infections with topical medications.
Headache
Find the right over-the-counter pain reliever for your headache based on your symptoms.
Hives
Get help managing the symptoms of hives with pharmacist-recommended medications.
Impetigo
Treat this bacterial skin infection with topical antibiotics (if appropriate).
Insect Bites & Stings
Find relief from itching and swelling with recommended topical medications.
Muscle Pain
Ease muscle aches and pains with over-the-counter pain relievers and muscle relaxants (if appropriate).
Pink Eye (Bacterial)
If your pink eye is bacterial, a pharmacist can refer you to a doctor for antibiotics.
Pinkeye (Viral)
While viral pink eye typically resolves on its own, a pharmacist can recommend soothing eye drops for comfort.
Poison Ivy, Oak, or Sumac Dermatitis
Treat the itch and discomfort of these rashes with recommended topical medications.
Sinusitis
Get relief from symptoms of acute sinusitis with over-the-counter medications (if appropriate).
Sore Throat
Find soothing lozenges, sprays, or gargles to ease the discomfort of a sore throat.
Yeast Infection
Treat uncomplicated yeast infections with recommended over-the-counter antifungal medication.
Contraception Services
Your Central Drugs pharmacist can also assist with contraception, including discussing different birth control options, prescribing some types of birth control pills, or providing referrals for other contraception methods such as IUDs, implants, etc.