When asked in a survey and in town halls where they were experiencing pressure to perform a certain number of clinical services, an overwhelming number of pharmacy professionals pointed to either a Shoppers Drug Mart or Loblaw pharmacy.
Manulife announced a month ago that patients could receive Specialty Drug Care program medications "at a pharmacy of their choosing," but the new program's rollout has taken longer than many expected.
Insurers argue that PPNs are a way to help employers manage costs and offer good coverage to members. Pharmacist associations say they are payer-directed care that prevents patients from choosing their own pharmacist and break continuity of care.
Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne said Wednesday the arrangement, which affects around 260 medications meant to treat complex, chronic or life-threatening conditions, is not in line with ‘the direction we want to see.’
Through referral arrangements with PSP providers, Daniel Vermette, Marc Chabot and Jérôme Bergeron collectively drew between about 12,900 to 17,400 patients away from other pharmacies, according to the Ordre des pharmaciens du Québec.
