Government has signed a new Pharmacy Services Agreement with Island pharmacists, says Health and Wellness Minister Doug Currie.
“The signing of this agreement ensures access to pharmacies and the services they provide while maintaining significant savings for taxpayers on generic drug costs for public programs,” said Minister Currie. “I would like to thank the PEI Pharmacists Association for working collaboratively with us and demonstrating their joint commitment to the health care of Islanders.”
The Pharmacists Association and government worked cooperatively to allow savings for seniors and other eligible program participants by enacting such things as 90 day supply on maintenance drugs like cholesterol medications. If prescribed, the 90 day supply will mean only one dispensing fee paid every 90 days as opposed to every 30 days providing both saving and convenience for eligible Islanders.
“We are pleased that pharmacists and government were able to work together to come to an agreement that acknowledges the important role pharmacists play in health care delivery,” said Erin MacKenzie, Executive Director of the PEIPA. “We look forward to working together to provide additional services in the future.”
The Pharmacy Services Agreement allows retail pharmacies to deliver prescription drugs, pharmacy services and other products to eligible Island residents through a variety of public drug programs. The fair drug pricing act (Drug Product Interchangeability and Pricing Act, July 2, 2012) reduced the cost government was paying drug companies for generic drugs for public programs. Savings realized from reduced generic drug costs will be reinvested in such things as improvements to the formulary and to improve other important health services for Islanders, such as future pharmacy services that will better utilize the skills and expertise of pharmacists in the delivery of health care to Islanders.
“We recognize the critical role of pharmacy services to our health care system and we will continue to work together to use the skills and expertise of pharmacists in the delivery of health care in this province,” said Minister Currie.