Advancing innovation in minor ailments care

Award recipients at the NIHS Shaping the Future of Minor Ailments Services Forum.

(L-R): Annalise Mathers, Research Services and Knowledge Mobilization Specialist; Dean and Professor Lisa Dolovich, NIHS Advisory Committee; award recipients Nardine Nakhla, Kevin Li, Jasneet Dulai, and Autumn Chen; and Zubin Austin, Professor, Academic Director, Centre for Practice Excellence, and NIHS Advisory Committee.

Five pharmacists were recognized for their excellence and innovations in minor ailments services through the inaugural Leslie Dan Faculty Pharmacy Practice Excellence in Minor Ailments Awards. The awards were presented at the Shaping the Future of Minor Ailments Services: Innovation and Excellence Forum on May 8.

“I am so pleased that the Centre for Practice Excellence at the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy has recognized these remarkable pharmacist innovators for their work to further encourage high quality minor ailments services for Ontarians,” said Lisa Dolovich, Dean and Professor at the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy.

“Minor ailments services are one example of care provided by pharmacists within our primary health care system to help Ontarians gain access to healthcare close to where they live. These innovations showcase how the profession of pharmacy is evolving to be better integrated into the broader health care system.”

The forum, presented by the Network for Improving Health Systems (NIHS) at the University of Toronto, provided pharmacists and policy-makers with opportunities to learn about current research on minor ailments services in Ontario and celebrate innovations in minor ailment services.

The five recipients of the Leslie Dan Faculty Pharmacy Practice Excellence in Minor Ailments Awards were recognized for their contributions to developing and implementing a range of solutions to help pharmacists deliver high-quality minor ailments services.

Autumn Chen

Market Access Associate, Paladin Pharma Inc.

With supervision from Certina Ho, Autumn Chen led a team of Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) students, researchers and physicians to develop 14 virtual interactive cases for pharmacists to develop clinical skills in prescribing for minor ailments, along with a scoring mechanism to provide case-specific feedback to pharmacists.

“I hope this project will empower pharmacists with greater clinical confidence and decision-making skills through realistic virtual interactive cases—ultimately enhancing patient care and improving access in an era of constrained health care resources. These cases offer a safe, accessible space for pharmacists to apply their knowledge, refine their skills, and address gaps in prescribing for minor ailments in a risk-free environment.

“Being recognized with this award affirms that pharmacist prescribing for minor ailments is both needed and valued.”

Being recognized with this award affirms that pharmacist prescribing for minor ailments is both needed and valued, and it highlights the importance of continued innovation and education in this area. I’m excited about the momentum this brings for advancing the pharmacist’s role in health care. This recognition also underscores the power of teamwork and collaboration, as this project would not have been possible without the dedication and support of the entire team.”

Jasneet Dulai

Senior Pharmacy and Operations Manager, Pocketpills

In her role at Pocketpills, an online pharmacy, Jasneet Dulai helped to develop and roll out a national minor ailments program, which allows patients to access digital care from pharmacists or through referrals to other health care providers. She created a solution that uses virtual assessment forms, virtual consultations with pharmacists, and medication delivery to allow patients access high-quality, flexible and convenient care.

“Through the development and rollout of a national virtual minor ailments program, my goal was to make healthcare more accessible to Canadians, especially those in underserved or rural areas. … The success of this initiative highlights how technology can enhance—not replace—pharmacist-led care. It also shows the importance of continuing to expand the scope of practice as pharmacists play a vital role in alleviating pressure on the health care system by treating minor ailments, enabling early clinical intervention, and ultimately improving patient health outcomes. We are not just dispensing medications—we are creating a healthier, more informed, and supported community!

“We are not just dispensing medications—we are creating a healthier, more informed, and supported community.”

The most fulfilling part of my role at Pocketpills is being able to make a tangible difference in the lives of Canadians everyday. This recognition motivates me to continue thinking outside of the box and leveraging technology to drive innovation in pharmacy practice, finding new ways to expand access and improve patient care. This award also encourages me to advocate for the further expansion of the minor ailment prescribing program, as I have seen firsthand the impact it has had on patients receiving care sooner.”

Kevin Li

Senior Manager, Pharmacy Programs, Rexall

During Rexall’s roll out of minor ailments services in Ontario, Kevin Li worked closely with a technology partner to integrate a digital platform directly into the pharmacy management system, allowing pharmacists to conduct assessments efficiently and ensuring timely access to care for patients.

“I envision this work contributing to the evolution of a Pharmacist Healthcare Hub model—where pharmacies serve as integrated, front-line access points for a broad range of health services, both in-person and virtually. By streamlining assessment and treatment processes, incorporating telehealth, and leveraging the inherent accessibility of pharmacy, we are strengthening the role of pharmacists as essential providers within an interdisciplinary healthcare system.

“This award is a shared achievement and a reminder of what we can accomplish together in advancing pharmacy practice and improving patient access.”

This recognition reflects not just my efforts, but the collective work of an incredible team. I’m grateful for the support of Rexall, our dedicated departments, valued partners, and especially my pharmacist colleagues, whose commitment to patient care inspires me every day. This award is a shared achievement and a reminder of what we can accomplish together in advancing pharmacy practice and improving patient access.”

Nardine Nakhla

Associate Professor, University of Waterloo
Co-founder and CEO, MAPflow

Nardine Nakhla was instrumental in advocating for and defining the scope of practice surrounding minor ailment prescribing that exists today for pharmacists in Ontario. She also created MAPflow, a dynamic clinical decision support tool that provides evidence-based guidance in a manner that supports current best practices in pharmacy.

“My hope is that MAPflow continues to transform how pharmacy professionals deliver minor ailment services across Canada, ensuring patients receive timely, evidence-based care rather than facing treatment gaps or long waits.… Ultimately, I see MAPflow creating a scalable, data-driven model that improves access, elevates care quality, and supplies policy-makers with real-time outcomes to guide future expansion.

This recognition from the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy—an institution where I once taught and still collaborate closely with many colleagues—holds deep personal significance. It validates the central goal of my career: bridging academic research and policy with practical solutions that empower frontline pharmacists.

“This recognition validates the central goal of my career: bridging academic research and policy with practical solutions that empower frontline pharmacists.”

For me, the award symbolizes three things: validation of years spent educating on and advocating for pharmacist-led, patient-centred care; celebration of my diverse team—educators, software engineers, data scientists, students, and practising pharmacists—who turned a white-board sketch into a platform now transforming clinical practice; and a call to keep pushing boundaries so the next generation can practise at the top of their scope and patients receive the timely, high-quality care they deserve. I’m grateful the LDFP is showcasing innovations that make those outcomes possible.”

Jonathan Tsui

Owner and pharmacist, Findlay Creek Pharmacy

Jonathan Tsui has adopted the platform MedEssist for his pharmacy to seamlessly integrate minor ailment prescribing into their day-to-day workflow. This platform provided his team with the ability to assess and prescribe for minor ailments at a clinically impactful scale and enabled patients to receive timely and comprehensive care in the midst of a shortage of primary care providers.

“I hope that through the use of technology, such as MedEssist's online platform, we can enhance access to minor ailment services for those who may have difficulty with in-person interactions by providing alternative means of communication (such as phone calls, video calls, email exchanges, or built-in chat messaging), and determine whether the situation falls within our scope of practice or requires a referral to a primary care provider.

“Being recognized with this award reinforces that pharmacists have the knowledge and skills to provide patient care that goes beyond the traditional role of dispensing medications.”

Being recognized with this award is particularly meaningful to me because it reinforces that pharmacists have the knowledge and skills to provide patient care that goes beyond the traditional role of dispensing medications. It's a reminder that the work we do has a significant impact—not just on our patients, but also on the broader health care system—by easing the burden faced by primary care providers.”