Urinary & women’s health
Urinary tract infection (UTI)
Burning when you pass urine should not have to wait for a doctor's appointment. Ontario pharmacists can assess uncomplicated urinary tract infections and prescribe where appropriate, and at Murray Shore Pharmacy on Bathurst Street in North York that assessment happens in a private consultation room, usually the same day you call 416-789-1800.
Common signs
- Burning or stinging when passing urine
- Needing to go more often, but passing only small amounts
- A strong urge that comes on suddenly
- Cloudy or strong-smelling urine
- Pressure or discomfort low in the abdomen
See a doctor instead if
- Fever, chills, or feeling generally unwell
- Pain in your back or side, which can point to a kidney infection
- You are pregnant, or you might be
- You are male, have a catheter, or have known kidney or bladder problems
- Blood in the urine along with any of the above
Any of these sound like you? Call 416-789-1800 and we will point you the right way — or reach Health811 (opens in a new tab) by calling 811.
How the assessment works
The pharmacist takes you through a structured symptom history: when it started, what you feel, past infections, current medications, and anything that would make this a complicated case. Uncomplicated UTIs are typically assessed on symptoms, and where clinically appropriate an antibiotic may be prescribed on the spot. The assessment is covered by OHIP for Ontario residents with a valid health card; if anything suggests a complicated infection, we refer you to a physician and tell you exactly why.
Sources 1, 2Three ways to get started. Do it all from home, or come in.
Start online from your phone, call us, or walk in and ask for the pharmacist. No appointment is needed. When you start online, a pharmacist calls or messages you back to finish the assessment. Prefer email? Write to us.
Frequently asked questions
Plain answers from the pharmacy team. Tap a question to open it.
Can a pharmacist really prescribe antibiotics for a UTI in Ontario?
Yes. Under Ontario's minor ailment program, pharmacists can assess uncomplicated urinary tract infections and prescribe an antibiotic where clinically appropriate. If your case falls outside the program's criteria, we refer you to a doctor instead.
Do I need to bring a urine sample?
No. Uncomplicated UTIs are assessed on your symptoms and history, so there is no sample cup involved. If your answers suggest testing is needed, that is one of the reasons we would refer you to a physician.
What does the UTI assessment cost?
The assessment itself is billed to OHIP, so bring your Ontario health card. If a prescription is issued, the medication is charged to your drug plan or paid out of pocket like any other prescription.
I am a man with UTI symptoms. Can you assess me?
We will listen and point you in the right direction, but UTIs in men are considered complicated by definition, so the program requires a physician referral rather than a pharmacy prescription. Come in anyway; we can document your symptoms and help you get seen.
I get UTIs several times a year. Is the pharmacy still the right place?
Frequent or recurrent infections need a physician's workup, and we will say so plainly. What we can do is assess the current episode, keep a record of the pattern, and send a summary to your doctor so the bigger picture gets addressed.
Do I need an appointment for a UTI assessment?
No. Walk into Murray Shore Pharmacy at 3537 Bathurst Street, or call 416-789-1800 first if you would like to time your visit. Most assessments happen the same day in the private consultation room.
What should I bring to the assessment?
Your Ontario health card, a list of your current medications or the bottles themselves, and a note of any drug allergies. If you have had UTIs before, knowing roughly when the last one happened helps the pharmacist judge the pattern.
Who qualifies for a pharmacist UTI assessment?
The program covers uncomplicated bladder infections, which in practice means otherwise healthy women without fever, back pain, pregnancy, or catheter use. The criteria come from the Government of Ontario's minor ailment program, and the first part of the assessment checks them one by one.
Can an older adult be assessed for a UTI at the pharmacy?
Often yes, and we assess seniors regularly. The pharmacist screens carefully for the features that make an infection complicated in older adults, such as fever, new confusion, or known kidney problems, and refers to a physician when any are present.
Can you assess a UTI in a child?
No. UTIs in children fall outside the pharmacy program and need a physician, because testing is usually required at that age. Call us anyway; we can help you decide how urgently your child should be seen.
What if my symptoms do not improve after the prescribed course?
Contact us. Symptoms that persist or worsen after treatment mean the plan needs to change, and the next step is usually a physician visit with testing. We keep a record of your assessment so that handoff is quick.
How can I lower my chances of another UTI?
Drink fluids regularly, do not postpone urinating when you feel the urge, and empty your bladder after intercourse. The pharmacist reviews prevention habits at the assessment and tailors the advice to your situation.
Sources & further reading
Numbered references, linked from the sections above.
Your pharmacist is one call away.
416-789-1800 Call nowPrefer not to call? Email info@murrayshore.com or visit us at Bathurst & Baycrest.