Manitoba pharmacists now able to perform COVID-19 rapid tests
The Manitoba government is now allowing pharmacists to perform COVID-19 rapid tests for people who are looking to travel outside of the province.
Health and Seniors Care Minister Audrey Gordon announced that all Manitoba pharmacies will be able to do rapid antigen tests and rapid molecular tests.
Gordon said this new order is effective as of Monday, and pharmacies will be responsible for acquiring supplies, training their staff, and setting a price for the test.
"These measures enable pharmacists to expand services for all Manitobans by performing, interpreting, and providing results to these tests to people who require a negative test to travel," said Gordon. "This is an important change that builds capacity and provides more options for travellers."
Ashley Hart, the president of Pharmacists Manitoba, said it is exciting that pharmacies will be able to perform tests for Manitobans.
"Rapid testing in pharmacies is another small step towards bringing Manitoba in line with the advanced pharmacy practices seen in other provinces across Canada," said Hart.
"We look forward to providing Manitobans access to convenient rapid testing services and participating pharmacies will be working hard in the coming days and weeks to make this available in communities across the province."
Hart said people are asked to confirm the type of test that is needed for their destination and that confirmation of travel plans will need to be presented at the pharmacy.
Gordon said there will be no subsidies from the province and that each location is responsible for setting prices.
Hart added the tests will be able to be done in the pharmacy and the pharmacists will be able to provide the results to customers.
"The interpretation will be done by the pharmacists as well and documentation will be provided to the patient," said Hart.
She noted people will still be required to wait in line if others are at the pharmacy and they will have to wait for the test to be completed as well.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Montreal doctors' breakthrough discovery about causes of cerebral palsy giving hope
A breakthrough discovery made by doctors at the Montreal Children's Hospital about the causes of cerebral palsy is giving new hope to one West Island family.
Weather alerts issued for 7 provinces, 1 territory
Warnings of up to 60 millimetres of rain and other alerts have been issued for seven Canadian provinces and one territory ahead of the Easter weekend.
Ontario homeowner on the hook for $27,000 when contractor severed power line
An Ontario man who built a garage on his property has been locked in a battle with his electricity provider for a year and half over a severed power line.
He didn't trust police but sought their help anyway. Two days later, he was dead
Jameek Lowery was among more than 330 Black people who died after police stopped them with tactics that aren’t supposed to be deadly, like physical restraint and use of stun guns, The Associated Press found.
Grandparent scam: London, Ont., senior beats fraudsters not once, but twice
It was a typical Tuesday for Mabel Beharrell, 84, until she got the call that would turn her world upside down. Her teenaged grandson was in trouble and needed her help.
CRA no longer requiring 'bare trust' reporting in 2023 tax return
The Canada Revenue Agency announced Thursday it will not require 'bare trust' reporting from Canadians that it introduced for the 2024 tax season, just four days before the April 2 deadline.
Why Kim Kardashian is being sued for 'knockoff' furniture
The estate of minimalist contemporary artist Donald Judd filed a lawsuit against Kardashian this week, claiming the fashion and beauty mogul promoted 'cheap knockoffs' of his furniture designs.
Where is the worst place for allergy sufferers in Canada?
The spring allergy season has started early in many parts of Canada, with high levels of pollen in some cities already. Experts weigh in on which areas have it worse so far this season.
Louis Gossett Jr., 1st Black man to win supporting actor Oscar, dies at 87
Louis Gossett Jr., the first Black man to win a supporting actor Oscar and an Emmy winner for his role in the seminal TV miniseries 'Roots,' has died. He was 87.