Cold sores treatment in Ottawa, online
In Ottawa, a flaring cold sore should not cost you a morning off work or a wait at a walk-in. A licensed Ontario pharmacist can assess it online and, when appropriate, prescribe antiviral treatment - which works best the earlier you start - usually within 24 hours and free with your health card.
*Free with a valid Ontario health card. Without one, the assessment is a flat $30.
Getting cold sores treated in Ottawa
See a licensed Ontario pharmacist about Cold sores from home. It is free with a valid Ontario health card, or $30 without, and you usually hear back within 24 hours.
Whether you are a public servant downtown or a student at uOttawa or Carleton, taking a half-day off for a walk-in is a lot to ask for a minor ailment. Pharmly works around your schedule, evenings and weekends included.
Want the full clinical picture? Read our complete cold sores guide - symptoms, causes, treatment options and when to seek other care. When you are ready, the assessment for Ottawa residents takes about five minutes.
How it works
Tell us your symptoms
Pick Cold sores and answer a short, secure questionnaire from your phone or laptop, anywhere in Ottawa.
A pharmacist assesses you
A licensed Ontario pharmacist reviews your answers and follows up within 24 business hours (our average is about 2 hours) - by message or call.
Get your treatment plan
When appropriate, your pharmacist prescribes treatment with free delivery in Ottawa - or sends it to a pharmacy near you.
Cold sores in Ottawa: common questions
Can an Ontario pharmacist prescribe for herpes labialis?
Yes. As of 2026, Ontario pharmacists can assess and treat herpes labialis as one of the province's minor ailments. With Pharmly, a licensed Ontario pharmacist reviews your online questionnaire and, when appropriate, prescribes treatment and sends it to your pharmacy - no appointment, referral or family doctor needed.
How much does a herpes labialis assessment cost?
It is free with a valid Ontario health card. Without one, it is a flat $30. If a medication is prescribed, you pay the usual price for it and your drug plan may cover it.
How quickly will I hear back?
A licensed Ontario pharmacist reviews your answers and follows up within 24 business hours (our average is about 2 hours), often sooner. If anything urgent is flagged, we direct you to the right level of care.
Is cold sores treatment free in Ottawa?
With a valid Ontario health card the assessment is free, because Ontario pays pharmacies for minor ailment assessments. Without a card it is a flat $30. If a medication is prescribed you pay the usual price for it, which your drug plan may cover.
I work full-time downtown - when can I actually do this?
Whenever suits you. The questionnaire takes about five minutes and can be done evenings or weekends; a licensed Ontario pharmacist then reviews it and follows up, usually within 24 hours. There is no appointment to book around your workday.
Cold sores treatment is also available in: Toronto · Mississauga · London · Hamilton · Kitchener · Windsor
Ottawa residents can also get assessed for: Urinary tract infection · Pink eye · all conditions in Ottawa
Feel better, faster.
Start your free assessment and a licensed Ontario pharmacist will be in touch within 24 business hours (our average is about 2 hours).
Start your free assessment**Free with a valid Ontario health card. Without one, the assessment is a flat $30.