The Federation of Medical Women of Canada Urges Expansion of Pharmacist Prescribing Authority in Ontario, With Focus on Improving Access to HPV Vaccine

OTTAWA, Ontario--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Federation of Medical Women of Canada (FMWC) is calling for urgent regulatory changes to expand pharmacists’ scope of practice to include prescribing authority for all vaccines, notably for the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. This advocacy effort aims to eliminate unnecessary barriers to immunization, particularly in Ontario, where current regulations hinder timely access to vaccines through private insurance plans.

“The majority (76%) of Ontarians support pharmacist prescribing for all vaccines, a clear signal that the public is ready for change”

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This call echoes recent recommendations made in Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health’s 2024 annual report, which emphasized the need for a centralized immunization registry to address coverage gaps and improve vaccine access. While a province-wide vaccine registry would improve tracking and reduce duplication, expanding pharmacists’ prescribing authority is a critical parallel step to ensure timely access and reduce missed opportunities for vaccination

In Ontario, patients must obtain a prescription from a general practitioner (GP), nurse practitioner (NP), or registered nurse (RN) to access vaccine coverage through private insurance¹ - a barrier in areas with limited access to healthcare professionals. Many Ontarians expect to be vaccinated at the pharmacy, but instead begin a frustrating journey, referred back to their provider for a publicly funded dose or prescription. This back-and-forth wastes patients’ time and adds strain to an already burdened health care system, especially amid growing physician shortages.

While pharmacists in Ontario are authorized to administer the HPV vaccine and many other Schedule 1 vaccines, they are not recognized as prescribers by private insurance plans². This forces patients to seek prescriptions from other healthcare providers solely for reimbursement purposes, adding complexity, cost, and strain to the healthcare system.

“The majority (76%) of Ontarians support pharmacist prescribing for all vaccines, a clear signal that the public is ready for change,” says Dr. Vivien Brown, Family Physician, Chair HPV Prevention Week and Chair FMWC HPV Task Force. “This is a solvable issue that disproportionately affects underserved populations. Expanding pharmacists’ authority would streamline access, reduce missed opportunities for protection, and strengthen public health outcomes across the province.”

A national survey conducted by FMWC³ highlights strong public support for this change – particularly in Ontario, where HPV vaccine uptake remains notably low:

• Most Ontarians (76%) agree that pharmacists should have the power to prescribe all vaccines, with close to half (40%) strongly agreeing.
• Seventy-six (76%) per cent agree that HPV vaccines should be accessible at pharmacies without a doctor’s prescription.
• Eighty-six (86%) per cent believe the HPV vaccine should be offered to adults for free.
• Seventy-nine (79%) per cent agree it should be available to people of any biological sex and 77% agree it should be offered to adults of any age.
• Fifty-four (54%) per cent of Canadians report not having received the HPV vaccine, and 23% are unsure.
• Among Canadians those who haven’t received it, 69% say they didn’t get it because they don’t think they need it—highlighting a critical gap in education and access.

“Pharmacies are the most accessible option for vaccination, especially for people without a regular family physician or nurse practitioner," says Sherilyn Houle, Associate Professor, University of Waterloo School of Pharmacy. “The risk of someone remaining unvaccinated due to access barriers is greater than the risk of receiving an extra dose when past vaccination records are unavailable. A vaccine registry is important, but it shouldn’t delay action.”

In light of the upcoming HPV Prevention Week (October 1–7), the FMWC urges policymakers, regulators, and private insurers to recognize Ontario pharmacists as authorized prescribers for all vaccines. This shift would ease pressure on physicians, improve access—especially in underserved areas—and strengthen Canada’s public health system.

Through ongoing collaboration, the FMWC continues to push for solutions that could prevent thousands of HPV-related cancers. Learn more at www.CanadavsHPV.ca.

About FMWC

The Federation of Medical Women of Canada (FMWC) is a national organization recognized for its leadership and advocacy for women's evolving health. We are committed to promoting the well-being and health of women and women-identifying individuals both within the medical profession and society at large. The FMWC has a 100-year history in Canada, is a member of the non-governmental organization (NGO) section of the Department of Global Affairs at the United Nations (UN) and is a member of the Medical Women's International Association (MWIA), making us a part of the Economic and Social Council of the UN (ECOSO). For more information, please visit: www.fmwc.ca.

¹ Ontario Ministry of Health. Publicly Funded Immunization Schedules for Ontario. https://www.ontario.ca/files/2024-01/moh-publicly-funded-immunization-schedule-en-2024-01-23.pdf. Published January 22, 2024. Accessed September 1, 2025.
² Ontario Pharmacists Association. Eliminating HPV-Related Cancers. https://www.opatoday.com/eliminating-hpv-related-cancers/. Published July 18, 2024. Accessed September 1, 2025.
³ The Federation of Medical Women of Canada. Most Ontarians (76%) want pharmacists to prescribe HPV vaccines, but barriers persist. Published September 16, 2025.