N.S. pharmacists reducing strain on emergency rooms by treating Lyme disease

Nova Scotia pharmacists have significantly reduced emergency room visits for tick bites by providing preventative treatments for early signs of Lyme disease. A new study from Dalhousie University in Halifax compared emergency room visits in three hospitals before and after pharmacists began prescribing preventative treatment in 2021.

The research found a 50% drop in tick bite-related visits after the change, marking a major shift in a province with the highest incidence of Lyme disease in Canada. Nova Scotia is one of six jurisdictions where pharmacists can provide preventative treatment for the illness. Lead author Emily Black hopes other provinces will learn from Nova Scotia's experience to improve access to care.