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Thursday, 8 April, 2010

Minister Matthews wouldn't "...call them kickbacks…but there are people who would."


"Allowances" given Ontario to pharmacists by generic drug companies are to be eliminated said the province's health minister Deb Matthews on Wednesday.

The idea is that the annual $750 million "subsidy" is to be used to pay for services to patients but even the pharmacists concede that 70% of the money is treated as rebates to fund operations and hike profits. Ms Matthews suggests ending the practice could reduce the cost of generics by half. To compensate, the minister suggested that the government will increase dispensing fees by $1 -- to a total of $150 million to offset the reduction.

Donnie Edwards, a pharmacist in Ridgeway, Ontario thinks not:

"When you take $3 out and put $1 back in... I don't think so. These dollars were used for professional services that pharmacists do everyday, in every town in this provinces"

Research based pharmaceutical companies support the change. Russell Williams, president of Rx&D, the companies' association, said: "As partners in the health care system, we want to work with the government and health care providers to ensure that patients have access to the most appropriate treatment… through timely access to innovative medicines and vaccines… ."

(For more go to CTV.ca)



Posted by David Elkins and others at 6:46 PM

3 comments:

  1. Congratulation to the Health Minister in Ontario!!!!!!!!!!!

    RE: the "big box" pharmacy

    Unless they are brain-dead at the TMT level there will be no cutback in services to the individual consumer unless it is companioned with equivalent reduction in the cost of the drug itself.
    There are enough big league competitors smart enough to keep their mouth shut that will pick up the " shopping savvy" elder market who often ? require several medications.

    RE: the pharmacist himself

    the restructuring of how monies are distributed to assist the end-user ( the patient) will probably include broadening the prescription " authority" of the pharmacist and related " right-to-bill" opportunities. Therefore there is no plight for the pharmacist himself.

    RE: generic providers

    they should enter the market-at-large in the same context that " No Frills" stores compete in the world of groceteria

    RE: online shopping for medications

    there should be significant savings offered to clients for automatic " at-home shopping and reordering" because this automatic refilling without a stop order ........ is a far bigger money-maker than any storefront.

    Summary

    There is the never discussed difference between the generic drug quality and the " name brand". There needs to be a broadening of the arena where the name brand exposes itself to a more diverse field in the area of " distribution channels"

    On a personal note:

    A vocal response from a consumer.... to the vocal response of this particular provider identified as Shoppers Drug Mart:

    Let's do a SWOT from the SDM perspective:

    I have never been in a Shoppers Drug Mart where the consumer presence is larger than the staff presence. (W)

    To top it off they diversify the OTC drug selection so broadly that the "brand name" often gets sold at sale prices as it nears expiry dates ( works for me! ) (W)(T)
    However their pharmacists are working full throttle ( hmmmmmmm!) (S)(T)

    We consumers would welcome a "photoshop-style" drive through for medications only. The in-store imitation of boutique Wal-mart just can't compete in selection, price, and quantity.(W)

    And what makes you think after the big prescription drug consumers pay for their medication that they can afford to buy anything else in your store.......... the " no frills' stores have a pharmacy.

    NOW..... if I was a TMT at SDM I would take a second look at those fabulous , easily identified , quasi "art deco "exteriors of the SDM outlets.....
    They would make fabulous "diners". The architecture screams " Diner" ...don't you think!(S) (S) (S) (S)

    Even in hard times "diners" are always full... and once upon a time Drug stores always had a lunch bar and soda fountain........ how about a breakfast special for Seniors ...while their prescription is being filled :)

    time to "diversify".... not just replicate........
    ReplyDelete
  3. Finally, lower generic drug prices! This is something that needed to be addressed as anyone who has to take daily medication knows. Ontario had some of the highest generic drug prices around. Check out this video to learn more.

    http://mthirty.com/mtrack/r/mohvideo

    __________________________________________________
    M THIRTY has shared a message with you on behalf of the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care http://mthirty.com/mtrack/r/mohtransparency1
    ReplyDelete

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