the Telegram, Pharmacy, Robbery, Government

The Telegram - today's edition deals with the continued violent crimes affecting Newfoundland and Labrador Independent Pharmacies. Barb Sweet interviews an owner and hears first hand the suffering local pharmacies are experiencing due to Government cuts.

One statement in the story reads as follows:

Among the changes announced in the 2013 provincial budget to the Newfoundland and Labrador Prescription Drug Program (NLPDP) was one that forces pharmacies to sell generic drugs at 25 per cent of the cost of brand name or patented drugs at the end of a four-year period.  

This is a factual error the cuts to 25% of brand have already occurred. There have been 5 cuts in one year. There was no time to absorb the cuts or try to find ways to remain viable.

The government ignored the Dr. Locke report on pharmacy and ignored the numerous attempts by local pharmacy organized under the Council of Independent Pharmacy Owners to meet with officials, Ministers and the Premier. This has gone on for 5 years.

The robberies are horrific and this essential community service is under constant threat.

Owners and employees have no idea what to expect anymore - other than more of the same.

The government's insistence not to recognize the CICPO means a majority of independent owners continue to be ignored as government tries to do its bidding with an association which represents all pharmacists - not pharmacies.

At a time when the population is aging and governments are looking for ways to save - the local pharmacy is one of the few options available to it. Their attitude toward the CICPO and its members has been nothing more than disrespectful.

When all failed and CICPO members became involved in the last election campaign - the government got worse. They punished.

Make no mistake - Kathy Dunderdale and Susan Sullivan are making it very tough for independent pharmacies to survive - and apparently they don't really give a damn.

Government Imposed Contract will Harm Independent Pharmacy - CICPO

 

 

CICPO Release

 

Notice to Editors: 16/04/2012

 

Please be advised that the Council of Independent Community Pharmacy Owners is preparing information for a News Conference on Thursday or Friday of this week.

This conference will outline the catastrophic losses to independent pharmacy from both the agreement imposed by government and the changes to generic prices forced by legislation. 

 

Please note that an amending agreement was executed on April 14-2012 and delivered to pharmacies yesterday afternoon. 

 

There is no tentative agreement and there is no ratification process for pharmacies.

Initially government stated it was making changes to generic drug pricing and would reinvest in pharmacies. The government has since made further changes in an imposed amending agreement that will see negative changes to the reimbursement of dispensing fees. 

 

Currently there is a “proposal” in place regarding “underserviced” areas regarding an annual reimbursement for qualifying pharmacies. Today there is no agreement on the terms and conditions of such reimbursement.

 

Further the administration for pharmacies respecting the change in their computer systems to reflect the imposed agreement could not be completed between yesterday afternoon and this morning at opening. This is causing significant confusion as patients fill their prescriptions today. 

 

The Council will advise editors of the time and place of the conference and the attendees for interview. 

 

At this point the only comment from the Council is:

 

Phil O’Keefe Director of Third Party Relations CICPO

 

“Our worst fears have materialized; independent pharmacy and the people they serve have been dealt a crippling blow. We are incensed that an agreement was reached without ratification of the businesses it will impact; and in fact was signed by the President of the Pharmacists’ Association of Newfoundland and Labrador, Sandra Carey, who does not own or operate a pharmacy in Newfoundland and Labrador. The government has imposed an agreement which will allow the chain drugstores and mass retailers to survive while inequitably harming independent pharmacy”. 

Loblaw's - Dunderdale Government - What's Up?

Loblaw's just announced that it will be "buying" Zellers prescription files from 95 locations from across the country - excluding Quebec and British Columbia. The deal is worth 35 million dollars. This move is a result of the Target acquisition of Zellers.

First of all these are individual patient files and individuals in Canada have the right to CHOOSE the pharmacy they wish to deal with. Secondly - I would hope that each of these patients will be contacted to see if they WANT their prescription transferred to Loblaws.

Of course this is just a tip of the iceberg and what's hidden beneath is very cynical.

Most of you are aware that provinces in Canada are making legislative moves to lower generic drug prices through regulation. On the surface this appears like a good thing for the consumer - but is it?

To date the greatest impact of these changes have been to devalue - marginalize - and make vulnerable independent pharmacies in the country. For the record - independent pharmacies are the most trusted pharmacy  model and are renowned for personalized care and for the willingness to move into or establish in areas that do not have massive populations.

The Shopper's Drug Mart's - Loblaw's - and Lawton's of our marketplace are all waiting for these independents to become vulnerable so that they can consolidate the marketplace. The comments below found in the Canadian Business publication confirms this for the non-believer.

TORONTO - Shoppers Drug Mart Corp. (TSX:SC) is bracing for a profit squeeze from more reforms to generic drug sales next year, but also plans to seize the opportunity to buy out independent pharmacies that are even more vulnerable.

"It's the company that's absolutely best positioned to take advantage of opportunities that are going to (result) from drug reform and other macro trends in the Canadian market," Domenic Pilla, the new president and CEO of Shoppers told analysts on a conference call Wednesday.

Brad Lukow, Shoppers chief financial officer said the full impact of drug reform on Shoppers earnings has not yet been felt.

Legislative reform has yet to take place in a number of provinces, and a second phase will be implemented in Ontario and B.C. in April.

The new changes will expand the cheaper prescription regulations to cover all patients purchasing pills, either out of pocket or using insurance plans.

"That's the negative," he explained. "The positive is, we firmly believe there will be a strong opportunity delivered by drug reform that will allow us in a greater way to be a consolidator of the marketplace."

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This consolidation or any consolidation may be good for business but may not be good for the consumer - the patient. Once all the "consolidations" are complete what will we be left with? Well in rural areas - the reliance will be on drugs being delivered by mail - without a pharmacist or pharmacy you can visit in person. In inner-city neighbourhoods where many vulnerable individuals live - transportation will become a problem and worse the ability to make special arrangements for credit or to get the personalized service of help with compliance or accessibility forms will disappear.

Of course once the mass retailers get control of the pharmacy marketplace - prices will go up - way up. Let's take Loblaw's or Sobeys the consolidators of the food marketplace - have they achieved lowering the prices of your food?

When we had a local bread maker the Loblaw's and Sobeys of our marketplace offered 59 cent bread - now that that local manufacturer is gone and the jobs with it - how much is your bread?

If one looks closely at the Loblaw's - Zellers story they will notice the revelation of the new marketing strategy of the retail giant.

"Our goal is to be the number one nutrition and health destination in Canada," said Michael Lovsin, Loblaw senior vice-president, health and wellness.

"We feed more Canadians than any other grocery retailer in the country and with this comes responsibility to help them make healthier food and lifestyle choices. Our pharmacy business plays an important role in this effort." 

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So the deal is come to us and you can eat well and buy our drugs. 

If that is the claim - then Loblaw's will not hesitate to allow governments to regulate the food prices - as they are doing with prescription drugs to ensure that Newfoundlanders and Labradoians have the cheapest prices for food in the country right? They will not hesitate to reveal manufacturer rebates for groceries and give them up to ensure that all people can AFFORD healthy food - right? 

This grocery giant as with mass retailers like Shopper's and Lawtons rely on their front store - the cosmetics, the groceries, the paper goods for 50% or more of their revenues whereas an independent relies 90% on the dispensary for revenues. The more they get price reductions for drugs the more food, televisions, and makeup they sell. 

Ultimately they are using your health care as a loss leader. Governments are showing either extreme ignorance or are knowingly complicit to accommodate the wishes of the stock markets. 

At a time when our population is aging and the need for disease management escalates - programs designed to deliver medication and disease management will suffer the loss of these independent pharmacies and the collaborative care practices they have developed.

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has ignored the advice of 65 local pharmacy owners and the advice of Dr. Wade Locke - that before any radical changes are made to generic drug pricing - a thorough review of the potential consequences should be completed and a made in Newfoundland and Labrador solution is developed. 

On April Fools Day once again - Newfoundland and Labrador will jump headfirst into Upper Canadian based policy that will destroy our front-line health services - destroy local business - and once again throw rural Newfoundland and Labrador under the bus.

Newfoundland and Labrador pharmacy owners will not allow this decimation and will fight to protect the health care rights for the people they serve.

Patients in other areas of the country and in the USA are fighting the Walmart and Walgreen type presence and have supported a model of care that has been in our province for 100 years. 

These chains and retailers have only been here for 30 or so years and have done their best to lobby government to do their predatory work for them. To the credit of our people - they continue to stand behind their local pharmacy and the superior services and commitment to patient/community - they have always provided. The question is where does your MHA sit?

Next up - the mysterious NDP position that ultimately supports multinationals and turns away from rural local business and professionals - to the detriment of your health care.

Update Dr. Wade Locke addresses the CICPO

Please PRESS HERE for further Information.