The Yukon's pharmaceutical industry is under review, Health and Social Services Minister Doug Graham said during question period Wednesday, in the legislature.

The department is currently reviewing the Pharmacists Act and "a number of other issues” with the industry, Graham said in response to questions from NDP Leader Liz Hanson.

Hanson noted the act has not been reviewed since 1970.

"The Pharmacists Association has written to the government to suggest a number of important and overdue changes,” she said.

"Pharmacists can lessen the burden on hospitals in times of increased demand and provide preventive health services at lower costs in the long term.

"One of every nine emergency visits is due to a drug-related cause and over two-thirds of these are deemed preventable,” said Hanson.

"Because Yukon's legislation is so out of date, pharmacists can't contribute all they have to offer to our health care system. In the end, it's the health of Yukoners that suffers.”

In response to the minister's answer that his department is undertaking a review of the legislation, Hanson had just one clarifying question.

Currently, Yukon doctors in the communities can "diagnose, prescribe, dispense and make a profit on certain medications.”

Hanson called this an "obvious conflict of interest,” and asked if the minister would commit to amending this clause.

Graham responded that while it will factor into the review, considerations must be taken which, in many small communities, "it would not only be impracticable, it would also be impossible to have a pharmacist stationed there.”

He did note that it may be possible in the coming years when the department proceeds with the creation of an information technology system for the pharmaceutical industry.