Pharmacists Rally At Queen’s Park
Posted May 7, 2010 7:03 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Ontario pharmacists angered over the provincial government’s planned changes to its drug plan have taken their fight to the front lawn of the legislature Friday.
The druggists, clad in their white lab coats, made their opinions known in front of Queen’s Park with petitions in hand, which they’ve called “Prescriptions for Honesty”.
The rally was organized by the Ontario Community Pharmacies coalition. The group is angered by the government’s plan to eliminate professional allowances. Pharmacists claim the payments generic drug manufacturers hand over in return for carrying their products allow pharmacies to offer increased services, including free delivery, consultation and extended hours.
Health Minister Deb Matthews believes those professional allowances are what drive up the cost of generics and eliminating them would reduce the prices by about 50 per cent.
The battle heated up early last month when the health ministry announced it planned to amend its drug plan.
Shortly after, Shoppers Drug Mart announced it would be cutting store hours in Matthews’ hometown of London and Rexall announced it would start charging for drug deliveries across the province.
On Thursday, Shoppers Drug Mart said it may agree to the strategy to reduce the cost of generics if the province agrees to increase dispensation fees to make up for the loss of professional allowances. The major chain also plans to ramp up its convenience foods division to make up for pharmacy losses.
