Albertans are now able to bypass their doctors is they need a prescription renewed.

Beginning this month, the government is paying pharmacists to provide seven new services, including giving injections and changing prescriptions as patients' needs change.

Health minister Fred Horne says the changes will free up doctors' time so they can see more patients and handle more complex cases. 

The cost of the new program is being covered mostly from savings gained from the drop in prices of generic drugs which the Alberta government pays for.