Profession
Pharmacist prescribing has spread fastest of all, and in several places schemes became permanent before their evaluations were published.
Under a new federal interpretation of the Canada Health Act, medically necessary care that nurse practitioners, pharmacists and midwives provide in place of a doctor is to be publicly funded. The policy took effect in April 2026, with penalties from April 2027. Ontario missed the deadline.
Ontario pharmacists now prescribe for 28 minor ailments, after 9 were added on 1 July 2026; Nova Scotia pharmacists can prescribe for conditions including hypertension and type 2 diabetes.
New Zealand's bill would let the Health Minister direct the health regulators on policy and let a ministerial committee overturn registration refusals. Parliament has since been dissolved for the November 2026 election.
Most new UK pharmacists now register as independent prescribers, and a 2025 law lets pharmacists authorise pharmacy technicians to supervise dispensing from December 2026.
No reforms tracked for this country yet.