N.S. pharmacists cut tick bite ER visits in half with prescriptions to prevent Lyme: study A new study shows that allowing Nova Scotia pharmacists to prescribe preventive antibiotics for tick bites halved emergency room visits for tick bites, easing pressure on the health care system. Allowing pharmacists in Nova Scotia to prescribe antibiotics after a tick bite has cut emergency room visits for tick bites in half, according to a new study. The policy change let pharmacists provide doxycycline to prevent Lyme disease without a doctor's visit. The study found that ER visits for tick bites dropped by 50 per cent after the change. Researchers say the move eased pressure on emergency departments and improved timely access to preventive care. Lyme disease is spread by blacklegged ticks.If untreated, it can cause severe joint, heart, and nervous system problems. Preventive antibiotics are most effective when given soon after a tick bite. The study adds to evidence that expanding pharmacists' scope of practice can improve public health. Other provinces are watching Nova Scotia's approach as they consider similar policies.In other news, Fréchette is to meet Montreal mayor amid fallout over baby in homeless camp. Some referendum special ballots were delayed due to an error, but most have been approved, Elections Alberta said. Nova Scotia men were charged with attempted murder following an incident of intimate partner violence. A Brantford man was charged for setting fire to a restaurant's flag.An 81-year-old man was charged with murder of his 58-year-old son in Ontario's cottage country. Toronto Police chief warned of zero tolerance for corruption after new revelations in Project South. A self-confessed serial killer was arrested during an escape attempt dressed as a woman and carrying a child, Brazilian police said. Canada's new ambassador to the EU said we should all be concerned about increased Russian aggression in Europe.The World Economic Forum warned that AI risks wider gender inequality in jobs market. Ukraine advocates asked Ottawa to sanction NHL's Alex Ovechkin after a Putin commercial. The Liberals are not promising to sanction Ovechkin. A truck driver built a model of NYC with over 800,000 structures for fun.It is now a museum exhibit. A body found in Grand Canyon was a missing hiker, his wife said, bringing flood death toll to three. Carney is set to attend the United Nations General Assembly in New York next week. The feds could introduce new labour legislation as soon as next week, sources said.A mural of rapper Macklemore was painted in Gaza after Sheeran tour furor. Canada is one win away from an Olympic men's volleyball berth with a win over Mexico. A shark killed a swimmer off an Australian beach as beachgoers watched in horror. Canadian experts backed calls for independent watchdogs at the world's top AI companies.OpenAI's Sam Altman will brief the UN Security Council next week, Reuters exclusively reported.