The provincial Minister of Health announced today, Monday, that registered nurses in Ontario will soon be able to independently prescribe certain medications such as contraception.

Starting from January 2024, nurses can take additional training courses and certifications that allow them to prescribe things like contraception, smoking cessation medications, and travel medicines that treat or prevent diseases such as malaria and traveler’s diarrhea, according to a press release.

Nurses can also prescribe flu vaccines and COVID-19 vaccines.

These certification courses are currently being developed and will require approval from the College of Nurses of Ontario Board.

Health Minister Sylvia Jones said in the announcement, "We are making it easier for health professionals to work to the fullest extent of their training and experience, while giving people easy access to care close to home."

When asked when patients in Ontario should expect to be able to get prescriptions from registered nurses, a ministry spokesperson said training programs are still under development. In an email, the spokesperson said more information on how long the training will take will be shared when it becomes available.

Doris Grinspun, CEO of the Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario – which has long advocated for nurses to have prescribing authority – also said the association welcomes such a move with open arms.