Health notes from
your pharmacists.
Practical, evidence-based health content written by the Tartan Pharmacy team — covering travel health, medications, vaccinations, and life in Nepean.
Minor Ailment Pharmacist Ottawa — What Can a Pharmacist Treat?
Ontario's expanded scope of practice now allows pharmacists to assess and prescribe for common minor…
What to Look for in a Pharmacy in Nepean Ottawa
Not all pharmacies are the same. From personalized care and pharmacist accessibility to compounding …
Travel Vaccines for Cuba, Mexico & the Caribbean — An Ottawa Guide
Heading somewhere warm? Cuba, Mexico, and the Caribbean are among Ottawa's most popular winter desti…
Where to Get a Flu Shot in Nepean & Ottawa
Flu shots are available at multiple locations in Ottawa — but independent pharmacies offer the most …
Why a yearly MedsCheck is worth the half-hour.
A single 30-minute conversation with your pharmacist can catch drug interactions your doctor may not…
Where to Get a COVID Booster in Nepean & Ottawa
COVID-19 remains a circulating respiratory virus in Ontario and Canada. Updated booster doses contin…
Generic vs. Brand Name Medications — The Truth From Your Pharmacist
Are generics really the same thing? What does Health Canada actually require? And when does the bran…
How to Safely Dispose of Old Medications in Ottawa
Flushing old pills down the toilet or tossing them in the trash can harm Ottawa's waterways and comm…
Your pre-trip vaccine timeline: when to book before you fly.
Most travel vaccines require weeks — some even months — to take full effect. Here's exactly when to …
Ozempic and Wegovy in Canada — What Ottawa Patients Need to Know
Semaglutide medications have transformed the treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity — but supply s…
Managing Type 2 Diabetes Medications — A Pharmacist's Guide
Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes, affecting approximately 3.7 million Canadians. …
What Is a MedsCheck and Who Qualifies in Ontario?
If you take three or more prescription medications, you are entitled to a free, private medication r…
Blister Packs for Seniors — How They Reduce Missed Doses
Nearly half of seniors don't take their medications correctly. Blister packaging is a simple, proven…
5 Dangerous Medication Combinations Your Pharmacist Can Catch
Adverse drug events — including dangerous medication interactions — are one of the leading causes of…
Shingrix Vaccine Ottawa — Who Needs It and What Does It Cost?
Shingles affects 1 in 3 Canadians in their lifetime, and the pain can be debilitating. Shingrix is o…
Vitamins and Supplements for Brain Fog — What Actually Works?
The supplement industry is largely unregulated compared to prescription medications. Before spending…
What Causes Brain Fog and Can Your Pharmacist Help?
That frustrating mental cloudiness — trouble concentrating, forgetting words, feeling mentally slow …
How to Quit Smoking in Ottawa — Champix, NRT, and Pharmacist Support
Quitting smoking is hard — but pharmacists can now prescribe cessation medications in Ontario, and t…
Why You Need a Flu Shot Every Single Year
"I got it last year" — one of the most common reasons people skip their flu shot. Here's why last ye…