Resources for Patients and the Public | College of Pharmacists of Manitoba

COVID-19 Resources for Patients and the Public

Please see the information and resources below to support your pharmacy care during COVID-19. Patients are also encouraged to visit Manitoba Health’s COVID-19 webpage for the latest information: https://www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/index.html

COVID-19 Vaccination in Community Pharmacies

On February 2, 2021, Manitoba Health and Seniors Care (MHSC) announced that physicians and pharmacists will be recruited to vaccinate the general public against COVID-19 within their respective practices. The provincial News Release is available at the following link:

https://news.gov.mb.ca/news/index.html?item=50558&posted=2021-02-02

The process and staging to get a vaccine in a community pharmacy is being developed by Manitoba Health and Seniors Care. The College of Pharmacists of Manitoba will continue to update this page as new information becomes available.

For the most up-to-date information on the COVID-19 vaccination campaign, please visit:

https://manitoba.ca/covid19/vaccine/index.html

COVID-19 Vaccines: Tips for Consumers

A recent SafeMedicationUse.ca newsletter shared tips with consumers to help them safely receive a COVID-19 vaccine. With the continuing evolution of vaccine guidance, as reported and widely discussed in the media, you may have questions about whether the vaccine is safe for you. For more information COVID-19 vaccines and how you can improve your safety, please see the following link:

https://safemedicationuse.ca/newsletter/COVID-19-vaccine.html

Influenza Vaccination During COVID-19

Please see the following resources on receiving your flu vaccination:

Your Medications During COVID-19

You do not need to stockpile medications.

Speak to your pharmacist if you are worried about your medication supply. Older adults and those with underlying health conditions may wish to speak with their pharmacist about a prescription refill, so they do not have to go to a pharmacy if they do become sick.

If you are feeling unwell and require medications, call your pharmacy and they will arrange to provide you with the medications you need.

Please see the Health Canada notice advising Canadians to help support the continued supply of medication.

Safety Incidents Caused by Hand Sanitizers that Look Like Drinks

In this time of shortages across the country, many companies have taken up the call to manufacture
hand sanitizers, so there is greater access to these products. There is a risk that hand sanitizer will be
swallowed by accident by an adult or child when it is provided in containers that are usually used for drinks such as soda, water, and alcoholic beverages.

Please see the Institute for Safe Medication Practices Alert: Hand Sanitizers that Look Like Drinks for safety precautions.

Potentially Serious Side Effects of Chloroquine and Hydroxychloroquine

Chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine may cause serious side effects, including serious heart rhythm problems. The risk of these side effects may increase at higher doses, or if the drugs are used in combination with other drugs, such as the antibiotic azithromycin. Patients should use these drugs only under the supervision of a physician.

Please see the Health Canada notice on Chloroquine and Hydroxychloroquine.

Pharmacy Care Resources for Patients and the Public

The resources listed below can support active participation in your pharmacy care.

Naloxone

Naloxone is a life-saving drug that can temporarily reverse the effects of an opioid overdose and it is available in Manitoba without a prescription. Naloxone may be sold behind a pharmacy counter or in the retail area of the store. Ask your pharmacist where you can find naloxone.

In keeping with our mandate to protect the public, the College maintains a list of community pharmacies that carry naloxone kits you can buy. Please contact your regular pharmacy first for availability and price.

Once you buy a naloxone kit, a pharmacist can teach you how to use the kit in an opioid overdose emergency.

If you need a publicly funded (free) naloxone kit, please contact Street Connections.

If you need help with an addiction, you can call the Manitoba Addictions Helpline at 1-855-662-6605, or visit http://mbaddictionhelp.ca/

The following resources will provide you with additional information about opioid overdose and naloxone:

Disposing of Unused Medication or Used Needles and Sharps

Keeping easily accessible medications and medical sharps devices (such as needles or lancets) around the house, and/or improper disposal of these products, puts family members, pets, garbage and municipal workers, janitors an housekeepers at risk of being harmed.

The Health Products Stewardship Association in partnership with Manitoba’s community pharmacies, developed return programs for unused medications and used medical sharps devices.

To learn more about proper disposal of unused medications, please visit https://healthsteward.ca/returning-medications/

To learn more about proper disposal of used medical sharps devices such as needles or lancets, please visit https://healthsteward.ca/returning-medical-sharps/