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By Cam Lee

Pharmacy program

Local pharmacist believes strep throat and ear infection pilot program working

Jul 29, 2025 | 2:55 PM

A pharmacist in Melfort believes the pilot program allowing them to test for strep throat and assess for ear infections is working.

Eric Pederson is the owner of Pederson Pharmacy in Melfort.

He told northeastNOW they had many people come through their doors for both procedures.

“When we started in February…there was lots of demand from the whole area, not just Melfort,” Pederson said. The project brought people in from across the northeast for tests and assessments.

The pilot project launched in January, and a provincial government news release stated that over 3,000 services were delivered across Saskatchewan. Over half did not require a prescription.

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Eleven pharmacies across Saskatchewan provide strep throat testing, while 35 can perform ear infection assessments.

Pederson said the major benefit is that the testing helps put less pressure on hospitals and medical clinics.

“They’re not having to deal with these cases, so we’re taking strain off of there,” Pederson said. “As well, we’re generally able to see people that same day, so instead of waiting two or three days to see their family doctor, they’re getting in to see us that same day.”

In cases where strep throat is a concern, the pharmacist assesses whether it could be bacterial strep. If what they find leads them to believe that is the case, they will administer a test in the pharmacy.

“With that, we know within six minutes if it’s bacterial strep or not,” Pederson said. Should the case be bacterial, an antibiotic is prescribed.

Strep throat happens year-round, but, according to Pederson, it is most common in late winter and early spring, from about January to April.

Pederson suggests making an appointment for someone should they suspect that they may have strep throat. Pederson Family Pharmacy also does ear infection assessments, and if it’s determined to be a bacterial infection, antibiotics are prescribed.

He believes the pilot program is working.

“All of the feedback we’ve gotten from patients has been really positive.”

The provincial government is also excited about the project.

“This pilot is one of the first in Canada and shows that pharmacists play a vital role in enhancing access to timely care for common conditions,” Rural and Remote Health Minister Lori Carr said in the government news release. “The fast access to assessment and treatment is reassuring to patients and strengthens team-based primary health care in the province.”

A list of participating pharmacies and communities, and the full list of conditions they can assess, and treat, is available here.

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cam.lee@pattisonmedia.com