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Home My WebLink AboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1985-12-18, Page 3rS` Ci Elti%i: 1 Independent • from page 1 gave pharmacists two weeks to prepare their input. At a meeting between the health minister and district 13 of the On- tario Pharmacists Association, Elston said he intended to send the legislation to the Ontario Legislature's Social Development Committee to recommend changes to Bills 54 and 55. "Our major overall concern is that the government is acting unilaterally by pro- ceeding with the legislation without prior consultation with the OPA." says Stringer. The Stringers are concerne . that small independent pharmacists will be unable to buy and unable to price competitively. "Every other business is allowed an incen- tive operating on a mark up system. No other business is expected to operate on cost plus a dispensing fee." ` says Dan. The legislation could lead to higher pric- ed drugs because there will no longer be any market incentive for manufacturers to offer or pharmacists to seek, the most competitive and advantageous prices. LESS COMPETITION "Pharmacists will be discouraged from negotiating purchasing advantages," says David G. Hannay of the Ontario Pharamacists Association. "Manufac- turers will find less price competition in the market, a circumstance that can only lead to higher prices.' • Elston tells the public he will stop over payment on the Drug Benefit Plan which supplies free drugs to seniors, the disabled and financially disadvantaged citizens of Ontario. What he doesn't say is that there are more seniors living longer, more drugs in the formulary which determines which drugs will be supplied free, and new drugs which are more expensive being added to the formulary, all of which increase the cost of the plan to the taxpayers of the pro- vince, says Stringer. The ministry is lumping its ad- ministrative costs in along with the cost of operating the plan instead of breaking out administrative costs which are not related to pharmacist fees or drug pricing. The legislation will also require phar- macists to post notices of a single max - Announcing savings you'll find in the Classifieds. pharmacies threaten+ imum dispensing fee which Stringer believes will be misleading and will con- -fuse the consumer, because the pharmacy with the lowest fee may not have the lowest overall price. This -is due to the fact that pharmacies will he required to charge the actualac- quisition cost forddrug, the government isntprepar to take the steps, necessary to ensure that all phar- macies are entitled to purchase necessary drugs at the same actual acquisition cost. ARBITRARY DECISION This cost will vary between pharmacies, depending on volume buying and other fac- tors. In addition, allowable dispensing fees will vary, depending on the type of drug. Stringer objects to the government assuming the power to arbitrarily establish maximum dispensing fees without negotiation with the pharmacists. "Advertising dispensing fees is un- professional and confusing. No other pro- fessional such as a dentist or a doctor has to advertise their fees." comments Str- inger. , "We have a good relationship with our GQDk iCHSIGNAllo A , u ?tq says druggis patients. We're not hiding anything. It's discriminatory and unp efessional to be asked to advertise our dispensing fees." Pharmacists are autoar*atically opted in- to the Drug Benefit Plan and if it becomes unrealistic to fill drug plan prescriptions, Stringer has no choice. A pharmacist roust f,11 these prescriptions even if it costs him oney. EXCESSIVE FINES There are provisions in the legislation for fines which Stringer finds excessive, if he 'does not comply. Elston wants phar- macists to know he is committed to the legislation and serious about its implemen- tation. Fines can be levied of $10,000 to the individual pharmacist and $50,000 to a pharmacy if they fail to comply. Stringer is also concerned that the pro- mpt service he has been able to offer his patients will become a thing of the past because he must inform the patient if there is a generic alternative for a brand name drug and permit the patient to choose which he wants. Now the pharmacist is permitted to automatically fill the prescription with the generic alternative. He fears that the legislation will reduce the amount of tine he can spend giving professional assistance to his customers, because he will be forced to explain the considerationsof generic alternatives. "This will seriously limit the time - available to pharmacists to utilize their • wisdom, experience and professional• judgement in their normal dispensary ' duties, as members of the health care delivery team," explains David G. Hannay. • of the Ontario Pharmacists Association. The Stringers support the OPA in their negotiations with the government and are disappointed the government has created needless confrontation between govern- ment and pharmacists. Ontario phar- macists and the . Ontario Pharmacists Association are attempting to convince the Ontario Legislature's social Development Committee to recommend changes m Bills 54and 55.• The Stringers urge anyone who is_con- cerned about the impending legislation to. write or phone their MPP Jack Riddell, Minister of Agriculture or Murray Elston MPP for the neighboring riding of Huron - Bruce, Minister of Health. • Christmas is so many things Homes glow with lights Beautiful trees, Soft melodies Everything is special and bright. 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