Canadian Pharmacists Association expresses disappointment with Ontario announcement
(Ottawa, June 8, 2010) - The Canadian Pharmacists Association (CPhA) today expressed its disappointment at the announcement made late yesterday by the Government of Ontario that it was moving to enact its previously announced regulatory changes that would dramatically reduce support to Ontario pharmacists and pharmacies in Ontario.
In April, the Government of Ontario announced regulatory changes that would eliminate $750 million in professional allowances to pharmacies, while slightly increasing the dispensing fee and compensation for other professional services a funding gap that has been estimated at between $200,000 to $300,000 per pharmacy in Ontario. In response, Ontarians loudly stated their opposition to cuts in pharmacy funding and pharmacy services. Furthermore, a coalition of pharmacist and pharmacy-related organizations pledged to work in good faith with the Ontario government to arrive at a regulatory solution that would achieve the government s objectives regarding generic drug pricing without putting into peril pharmacy services. Despite these efforts, the government announced yesterday that it was moving forward with its regulations virtually unchanged a move that will compromise the quality of care that pharmacists will be able to provide to Ontario patients.
Yesterday s announcement by the Government of Ontario that it is moving ahead with cutbacks to pharmacy care is devastating news to Ontario patients who rely on pharmacy services, stated Ms. Ruth Ackerman, President of the Canadian Pharmacists Association. We had hoped that Minister Matthews would have listened more carefully to the views of Ontarians who clearly stated their opposition to cuts to pharmacy services sadly this did not happen.
Despite the decision by the Ontario government to proceed with its regulations, pharmacists in Ontario and across Canada will continue to work with all jurisdictions to improve patient-centred care, lower generic drug prices, increase access to life-saving medications, and enhance the role of pharmacists in the health care team.
-30- The Canadian Pharmacists Association is the national organization of pharmacists, committed to providing leadership for the profession and improving the health of Canadians. For more information, please contact: Jeff Morrison, Director of Government Relations and Public Affairs Canadian Pharmacists Association 613-523-7877, x386 jmorrison@pharmacists.ca------------------------------
If this continues to happen, BC might do the same as well.
In addition to Pharmacy Tech regulation, this will definitely hurt our profession....
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