Statement by Minister Cory Deagle on strep throat testing at pharmacies

Minister of Health and Wellness Cory Deagle issued the following statement: 

“Pharmacy Plus PEI continues to improve access to healthcare for Islanders. The program recently expanded to include strep throat testing and treatment as part of sore throat assessments. 

Since December 2025, there have been more than 1,300 sore throat assessments completed at participating pharmacies. 

By supporting pharmacists to work to their full scope of practice, we’re reducing pressure on primary care providers, walk-in clinics and emergency departments across the province, allowing them to focus on more complex patient care needs. 

Under the Pharmacy Plus PEI program, pharmacists can assess and prescribe for 35 common ailments and conditions. Since it started, there have been over 260,000 assessments completed, including more than 169,500 prescription renewals.

I want to thank our local pharmacists for providing Islanders with timely access to healthcare and for their continued support in making the Pharmacy Plus PEI program a success.

I also want to thank the PEI Pharmacy Association and the PEI College of Pharmacy for their support in this latest expansion. This is a perfect example of working together and expanding care within our patient medical neighbourhoods.”

Islanders are encouraged to connect with their local pharmacy to learn how to access the services available through the Pharmacy Plus PEI program. 

For a complete listing of participating pharmacies and other information, visit Pharmacy Plus PEI.

Media contact:

Maureen Coulter
Department of Health and Wellness
maureencoulter@gov.pe.ca