Canada’s Family Doctor Shortage: 7 Solutions—And How Centrum Pharmacy Is Already Leading the Way in Orleans

Canada is facing a deepening family doctor crisis. With an estimated 23,000 additional physicians needed nationwide, the shortage is straining communities, clinics, and—most importantly—patients. But while national solutions remain debated, Centrum Pharmacy in Orleans is taking real action—right now.

As Dr. Anthony Sanfilippo recently outlined in The Doctors We Need, no single solution will fix the problem. We’ll need a multi-faceted, collaborative approach—including expanding training programs, recruiting foreign-trained doctors, and rethinking how non-physician providers like pharmacists contribute to primary care.

Are You Looking for a Family Doctor?

Check our get a doctor page!

The Growing Role of Pharmacists in Primary Care

As the physician shortage worsens, pharmacists across Ontario are stepping up. Thanks to expanded prescribing authority, pharmacists can now assess and treat over 19 minor ailments, such as:

• Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
• Pink eye
• Cold sores
• Allergies
• Acid reflux
• Eczema
• Insect bites and more

At Centrum Pharmacy, we do more than dispense medication—we provide complete, connected care. Our team works directly with patients to triage issues, recommend treatment, or escalate care when needed. This takes pressure off walk-in clinics, ERs, and overloaded family practices—especially in communities where a doctor isn’t readily available.

Recruiting the Family Doctors Our Community Deserves

While some communities are waiting for government intervention, Centrum Pharmacy is taking the lead locally. Through our physician recruitment initiative, we’ve helped bring new family doctors to Orleans—ensuring more patients can access the care they need, when they need it.

👉 Learn more: Centrum’s Physician Recruitment Initiative

Our efforts have directly contributed to hundreds of residents being rostered to family doctors—a rare success story in Ontario’s primary care landscape. We believe pharmacies should not only support doctors—they should help build the system patients depend on.

Canada Needs a Coordinated, Practical Response

Dr. Sanfilippo outlines seven promising strategies to help fix Canada’s physician shortage:

1. Recruit foreign-trained physicians
2. Fast-track qualification for immigrants already in Canada
3. Bring home Canadians trained abroad
4. Improve the efficiency of current doctors
5. Expand pharmacist and nurse practitioner roles
6. Partner with quality international medical schools
7. Increase domestic medical school admissions and training

At Centrum Pharmacy, we’re already contributing to Options 4 and 5—helping doctors do more with less and stepping into expanded clinical roles. But we’re also proud to be a local example of Option 1 in action: actively recruiting qualified physicians to our community, while fostering team-based care that includes pharmacists, physicians, and nurses.

What You Can Do

• Need a doctor? Check out our recruitment program: Find a Doctor
• Not sure if your concern needs a doctor or a pharmacist? Call or visit us—we’ll guide you.
• Learn about the 19 conditions pharmacists can treat in Ontario.

At Centrum Pharmacy, we don’t wait for solutions—we help create them. Together with our community partners and local residents, we’re building a better model for accessible, comprehensive care.

Disclaimer: The medical information on this site is provided as an information resource only and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. This information does not substitute for professional diagnosis and treatment. Please do not initiate, modify, or discontinue any treatment, medication, or supplement solely based on this information. Always seek the advice of your healthcare provider first. Full Disclaimer.