Local reaction to a deal between pharmacists and the provincial government was mixed, with the flat fee for compounding services being a sticking point.
Compounding is a service where pharmacists mix a drug that is either in short supply or off the market, explains David Ruan of PreferredRx Pharmacy in Olds.
Under the new contract, the service will be performed at a flat rate of $18, Ruan said. Previously, the rate floated as high as $100.
According to Ruan, only a few pharmacies offer compounding. But it takes hard work and the new compensation is insufficient.
ìSometimes for us to make these, it takes hours. So it's just not feasible for a pharmacy to do them,î he said. ìFor a compounding pharmacy, it makes it very difficult to survive.î
A new agreement between the provincial government, the Alberta Pharmacists' Association (RxA) and Alberta Blue Cross will inject new funding to compensate pharmacists for expanded services.
The four-year deal, effective April 1, includes about $55 million that will be invested into pharmacy services outside dispensing drugs, said Health Minister Fred Horne at a press conference on Feb. 11.
For Ruan, the best part of the deal was the stability.
ìIt's a stable deal for four years. That's a good side about it. But there's certain things I think they still need to make adjustments on,î he said.
Horne said this deal recognizes the greater role pharmacies play in health care, including renewing prescriptions, administering flu shots, counselling people trying to quit smoking and medication management for diabetics.
Compensation for these services will vary from $20 to $100, rates that have been in effect since July 2012.
Another change to pharmacy service is the new flat dispensing fee, regardless of drug cost. Before, the province had a multi-levelled system with an adjustable fee.
The fee will cost $12.30, an increase from $10.93.
Once ratified by more than 1,000 RxA members, it will be the first update to the Alberta Pharmacy Agreement since 2003.
Horne said a memorandum of understanding establishes RxA as the authority for pharmacists in Alberta, which he says will ensure better coordination of provincewide programs such as administering flu shots.
