Collaborative approach will build drug system that works for patients, pharmacies, government

The Alberta Pharmacists' Association (RxA) and the Canadian Association of Chain Drug Stores (CACDS) stated that they strongly support the new pharmacy funding and services model agreement announced today by Alberta Health and Wellness (AHW).

The agreement, achieved over several months of discussions between pharmacy and the government, will help meet a number of key objectives shared by both parties:

- Protecting and enhancing pharmacy services for Albertans - Reducing generic drug costs - Maintaining economic viability and innovation among community pharmacies

"We have to commend the Minister of Health and Wellness and his officials for their commitment to real dialogue and the search for innovative solutions that work for Alberta," said Margaret Wing, Acting CEO of RxA. "They ensured broad pharmacy representation in the talks, and that the focus was on creating a stable, sustainable new model."

In October, 2009, a joint Ministry-pharmacy Transition Team, including representatives from RxA, CACDS and AHW, was established to seek a common approach to addressing prescription drug costs, rising drug utilization, and the need to maintain a solid economic foundation for community pharmacies. The goal was to identify and implement a sustainable, long-term model for pharmacy services and compensation, and to address transition issues arising from phase two of the Alberta Pharmaceutical Strategy.

The Minster's announcement on generic drug pricing ensures that patients will continue to have access to the wide array of pharmacy services they depend on, and pharmacies will have stable, predictable funding while transitioning over the next three years.

"The government showed real leadership on a challenging issue," said Mark Dickson, Chair of CACDS. "The need to modernize pharmacy funding and services is not unique to Alberta. But the solution and co-operative nature of our discussions show that this province understands the growing importance of community pharmacy care, and that the government wanted to build a system that would serve Albertans well over the long-term."

The new framework marks the beginning of a transition period for pharmacists and their patients. As part of the agreement:

- Pharmacies will be funded under a new model for pharmacy services The new model will go beyond fee for service for dispensing activities and will compensate pharmacists for spending more time advising patients and other health professionals about effective medication use. This will build on the foundation of traditional dispensing services, but will also make better use of the full scope of pharmacists' professional knowledge and skills, to protect patients' health and secure savings to the health care system. - A detailed implementation plan will be developed The Ministry and pharmacy will work together to ensure smooth transition to a new pharmacy practice model covering compensation, technology, regulatory and pharmacy workforce training. - A phased approach to support practice change To ensure the continued economic viability of community pharmacies, a transitional allowance will be provided to help pharmacies move to a new compensation model.

"We feel we've reached a solution that works for patients, pharmacies and the government, and that will contribute significantly to our shared efforts to control overall health care costs," said Margaret Wing.