Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The health Minister's pointing at the housing Minister. Mr. Speaker, I feel it's time to bring up the Pharmacy Act again. I haven't spoken about it in a little while so that will be going to the health Minister, not the housing Minister, despite her pointing the finger.
Mr. Speaker, I'd like an update as to where this particular work is given the fact that I've raised several times that this is an opportunity for us to save money as well as an opportunity to do business better; and lastly, everyone else in Canada, outside of the two territories, not three, two territories are doing this -- because it's become modern business for pharmacists to be able to dispense certain particular drugs. Would the Minister give this House an update as how close or how soon will we see this? Thank you.
Thank you. Minister of Health and Social Services.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I believe that the regulations are -- I'd have to get -- they're within the next year that -- with the health -- Health and Social Services Professions Act, when we bring that to the floor then there's the -- all the regulations that are being done underneath that. I know that we just did What You Heard, so that is -- that is the component as to how they're drafting the regs right now. So I will get back to the Member on the timeline. I do have it, but not at my fingertips. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This Pharmacy Act update, including the regulations, is very important to me and many of the constituents that I talk to about this, and they would like to be able to see the system move faster and more responsive. Can the Minister tell me that -- is the regulation update the only thing holding this from being implemented? Or sorry, I should say, Mr. Speaker, holding it back from being implemented? Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, the scope of the pharmacists, they are as a working group working with the pharmacists that is help -- that has helped to get to this point. Right now, with the What We Heard report, that is where we are to do that. Like, all I can say is this is an important piece for the Northwest Territories. It is an important piece for us to free up, you know, some of our clinic space that we continuously hear about so that pharmacists can do their expanded scope as they do in many other jurisdictions. And as I mentioned, I will get back to the Member on the timeline for this. Thank you.
Thank you, Minister of Health and Social Services. Final supplementary. No more questions.
Colleagues, before I call -- thank you. Before I read oral questions for the last time, I'm going to say this: I said it in my House planning. Preambles, short. Start out doing that. Ministers, answers within a minute. I've asked you guys in meetings. I'm now telling you publicly I will turn the mic off if it continues to happen. Thank you very much.
