New to Canada? A Newcomer's Guide to Using a Pharmacy in Brampton

Brampton welcomes newcomers from every corner of the world. Many families arrive with a suitcase of medications, a stack of documents from doctors back home, and a long list of things to set up: a bank account, a phone plan, school registration, a job search. Finding a pharmacy often comes somewhere in the middle, usually when the medication supply starts running low.

Pharmacies in Ontario may work quite differently from those in the country you came from. Some medicines that were sold over the counter elsewhere need a prescription here. Others that needed a prescription may be on the shelf. Pharmacists have a broad role that includes assessments, some prescribing, vaccinations and medication reviews. Knowing how the system works helps you get the most from it.

This guide is written for newcomers to Brampton and for family members helping them settle in. At Wellness Point Pharmacy, 115 Dufay Road, the team is happy to explain how things work and answer questions, even if you are not sure where to begin.

How pharmacies fit into Ontario’s health system

In Ontario, a community pharmacy is often the most accessible part of the health system. You can walk in without an appointment to ask a question, and pharmacists are regulated health professionals with university training in medications. They work alongside family doctors, nurse practitioners, walk-in clinics and hospitals.

Prescriptions are written by authorised prescribers, such as physicians, nurse practitioners and, for certain conditions, pharmacists themselves. You can take your prescription to any pharmacy you choose. Many people prefer to use one pharmacy consistently, because the pharmacist can then see all of your medications together and check for interactions.

The Ontario College of Pharmacists regulates pharmacists in the province and publishes information for the public about what pharmacists can do and what to expect from pharmacy care.

Getting your health card

The Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) covers many medically necessary services, such as doctor visits and hospital care. Most prescription medicines are not automatically covered by OHIP for adults, but having a health card is still important, and it is needed for some pharmacy services and public drug programs.

You apply for a health card in person at ServiceOntario. The Government of Ontario’s OHIP page lists the documents you need and explains eligibility. Rules can change, so check the current requirements before you go. While you wait, keep any private or interim health insurance documents with you.

Bringing medications from your home country

If you arrived with medications from another country, do not stop taking them suddenly, and do not start mixing them with new products without advice. Bring them to a pharmacist so they can be identified. Medicines from abroad can have different brand names, strengths or combinations than Canadian products, and some may not be available here at all.

To continue a medication long-term, you will usually need a Canadian prescription. Options include a family doctor, a nurse practitioner, or a walk-in clinic. Bring:

• the medication packages or bottles
• any prescriptions, discharge summaries or doctor’s notes from home, translated if possible
• a list of medical conditions and allergies

A pharmacist can help you understand what the medicine is and what to ask the prescriber, which makes that appointment more productive.

Finding a family doctor

Finding a family doctor can take time in Ontario. In the meantime, walk-in clinics, virtual care, and the pharmacy can fill some gaps. The province’s Health Care Connect program helps people without a family doctor register to be matched with one, and you can learn more through ontario.ca. Ask the pharmacy or a settlement worker if you would like help understanding the process.

What a pharmacist can do for you

Many newcomers are surprised by how much pharmacists in Ontario can do. Depending on the service and your situation, they may be able to:

• answer questions about medications and side effects
• help you choose over-the-counter products safely
• assess and, where appropriate, prescribe for certain minor ailments, such as allergies, cold sores or pink eye
• give some vaccines, including seasonal flu vaccines and certain travel vaccines
• complete a medication review to go through everything you take
• renew or adapt some existing prescriptions in specific circumstances

Ask the pharmacy which services are available, whether you are eligible, and whether a fee applies. Eligibility for some services depends on having a valid Ontario health card.

Prescription coverage in general terms

How you pay for prescriptions depends on your situation. Some people have private insurance through an employer or a spouse’s plan. Some are eligible for public programs. Others pay out of pocket. Ontario has programs for certain groups, such as children and youth without private coverage, seniors, and people with high drug costs relative to income.

Because eligibility depends on many factors, the best approach is to bring your health card and any insurance cards to the pharmacy and ask the team what coverage might apply. If you are paying yourself, you can ask what the cost will be before the prescription is filled, and whether a lower-cost generic version is available.

Language and cultural comfort

Many Brampton residents speak more than one language, and it is common for family members to help with translation. If you prefer to speak in a language other than English, ask the pharmacy whether a team member speaks it, or bring a trusted family member. For sensitive topics, you may prefer to have a professional interpreter or to speak privately; it is fine to ask for that.

It is also fine to mention cultural or religious considerations, such as fasting periods, dietary restrictions, or preferences about ingredients like gelatin or alcohol. Pharmacists are used to these questions and can help you find suitable options when they exist.

Catching up on vaccines after you arrive

Vaccine schedules differ from country to country. Some vaccines that are routine in Ontario may not have been offered where you grew up, and some given abroad may not be recorded in a way Canadian providers recognise. Children enrolling in Ontario schools need up-to-date immunization records, and adults may also have gaps worth filling, such as tetanus, measles or hepatitis B.

Gather every vaccine record you brought with you, even if it is handwritten or in another language. A health care provider can review it and suggest any catch-up doses. Peel Public Health’s website has information on reporting children’s immunizations and local vaccine resources. If you plan to travel back home to visit family, ask about routine and travel vaccines at the same time; the pharmacy’s Travel Health Clinic can look at both together.

Reading Canadian prescription labels

Canadian prescription labels include your name, the medication name and strength, directions, the quantity, the prescriber, the date filled and the number of refills remaining. Labels are in English or French. If anything is unclear, ask the pharmacist to explain it, and ask them to write the instructions in simple terms if that helps.

Do not be embarrassed to ask the same question twice. Understanding how to take your medicine is far more important than appearing confident at the counter.

Over-the-counter packages also follow Canadian rules. Each product approved for sale has an eight-digit Drug Identification Number (DIN) or, for natural health products, a Natural Product Number (NPN). The package lists the medicinal ingredients, what the product is for, directions and warnings. A medicine you used at home may be sold here under a completely different name, or the same name may contain a different ingredient. Read the ingredient list rather than relying on the brand, and ask a pharmacist when in doubt.

Practical first steps for new families

If you have just arrived, these steps can make the first few months smoother:

• choose one pharmacy for the whole family and register each person
• bring all current medications for identification
• write down allergies and chronic conditions for each family member
• ask about refill requests, which can be made through the prescription refill page
• find out the pharmacy’s hours and what to do if you need help after closing
• keep the pharmacy phone number saved in everyone’s phone
• learn when to call 911 or go to an emergency department rather than waiting for the pharmacy, such as for chest pain, trouble breathing or a serious injury

Welcome to Wellness Point Pharmacy

Settling in a new country is a big undertaking, and health care is one of the most important pieces. You do not need to understand everything before you visit. Bring your questions and your medications, and the team can help you find a starting point.

Wellness Point Pharmacy is located at 115 Dufay Road, Brampton, ON L7A 0B5. Call (905) 843-7155 with any questions, find directions on the contact page, or request a consultation through the booking page. Family members are welcome to come along to help with translation or support.

This guide offers general information for newcomers. Coverage, eligibility and medication decisions depend on your circumstances, so please confirm details with the pharmacy, a health care provider or the relevant government program.