HALIFAX, August 16, 2021 – The Nova Scotia College of Pharmacists (NSCP) has enabled pharmacists to
prescribe an antibiotic for the prevention of Lyme disease. This new role is aimed at reducing pressure
on emergency rooms and walk-in clinics across the province, as well as improving access to care as Nova
Scotia experiences a rise in blacklegged ticks and Lyme disease. Nearly all counties in Nova Scotia are
now considered to be high or moderate risk for Lyme disease.

“Enabling the public to receive care for Lyme disease from their local pharmacist means that Nova
Scotians can now get prompt post-tick exposure healthcare right in their own community, helping to
maximize our resources by keeping individuals out of emergency departments and walk-in clinics,” says
Beverley Zwicker, CEO and Registrar of the NSCP. “Pharmacists have always been important sources of
information and care for their communities and now are able to more fully support their patients by
prescribing antibiotic treatment when it is appropriate to do so.”

Antibiotic prophylaxis is not generally indicated for all tick bites, and pharmacists will have a discussion
with each patient to ensure that antibiotic prophylaxis is appropriate for them. If prescribed, public
health guidelines in Nova Scotia are for a single dose of antibiotic. Screening will include whether the
tick was a blacklegged tick, whether the tick bite occurred in the previous 72 hours and whether the tick
was attached for at least 36 hours.

These criteria are important as not all ticks in Nova Scotia carry Lyme disease and it takes time for a tick
to transmit the bacteria to a person once it has attached. Members of the public can submit photos of
ticks through eTick.ca for identification of the tick if they are unsure.

Taking steps to prevent tick bites in the first place, such as applying insect repellents, wearing light
coloured clothing and closed shoes, and only walking on well-traveled paths to avoid high grass and
vegetation, is important. The risk of contracting Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases increases
the longer a tick is attached, so individuals are encouraged to routinely check for ticks and know how to
promptly remove them if found.

Founded in 1876, the Nova Scotia College of Pharmacists (NSCP) is the regulatory authority for the
practice of pharmacy in Nova Scotia. Its legislated mandate is to maintain standards of practice and
professional accountability in the practice of pharmacy, thereby supporting optimal patient care. The
NSCP’s role is to regulate pharmacists and pharmacy technicians and the community pharmacies where
they practice. To learn more about the Nova Scotia College of Pharmacists and what we do to keep Nova
Scotians safe, visit nspharmacists.ca.

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