Quebec’s Bill 41, which increases pharmacists’ professional responsibilities, was adopted on Dec. 8. The bill permits pharmacists, under regulation by the Quebec Order of Pharmacists, to extend and adapt prescriptions, treat some minor conditions, order and analyze lab tests and administer medication for the purpose of instruction.
In July 2011, Medavie Blue Cross implemented a therapeutic substitution pilot program with a small group of pharmacies in Atlantic Canada. According to George Somers, director of professional and provider affairs at Medavie Blue Cross, the pilot was facilitated by new legislation and a subsequent interest by pharmacists and Medavie Blue Cross to explore new partnerships.
Over the past year, there has been a lot of movement from most of the provinces on drug pricing reforms. Last week at the two-day Benefits & Pension Summit, hosted by Benefits Canada, a panel made up of a consultant, a plan sponsor, a pharmacy benefits manager and a pharmacist weighed in on how the […]
Generic drugs represent the only component of Canadian healthcare in which costs are decreasing. On March 29, more than 100 plan sponsors, group insurers and consultants met in Toronto to discuss opportunities for generic drugs to increase cost savings for all healthcare stakeholders. The half-day Value of Generic Drugs Symposium, held at the Fairmount Royal […]
The healthcare landscape has drastically evolved since employers started implementing drug plans, but employers—and their consultants—have been slow to adapt to those changes, and their drug plans are now paying the price. “Changes in the market have been substantial, but plans haven’t changed too much. We need to evolve the plans more. Employers need to […]
A University of British Columbia (UBC) study shows that there are enough pharmacies situated throughout Ontario communities to absorb many closures without negatively affecting geographic accessibility for residents. The research suggests concerns that reducing generic pricing could result in pharmacy shortages are unfounded. Last summer, the Ontario government cut the price of generic drugs by […]