New Community Pharmacy Study Shows Huge Cost of Dispensing Gap

- Independent Pharmacists of Ontario Endorse Findings of Report -

Mississauga, ON, Sept 24, 2008 – A new independent study validates what Ontario’s independent pharmacists have been saying for the past two years – that the current pharmacy funding model is out-of-date and inadequate.

The Costs of Ontario Community Pharmacy Services report, conducted on behalf of the Ontario Pharmacists’ Association and the Canadian Association of Chain Drug Stores, found that the average cost to dispense prescription drugs and provide pharmacy services to patients is $14.93 per prescription.  While the cost varies based on pharmacy location and volume of prescriptions dispensed, actual costs are about double the current dispensing fee of $7.00.

“Independent pharmacists are well aware of the fact that government-set dispensing fees have been too low for a long time now, and in fact have been decreasing annually when inflation is factored in,” said Ben Shenouda, President, Independent Pharmacists of Ontario.  “As independents, we are even more vulnerable to this funding gap, since on average the dispensary counter accounts for 90% of our business.” 

 “We support the report’s findings, and hope that it sends a clear message to the provincial government that in order for pharmacies to continue to play an important role in providing accessible health care services to Ontarians, they need to be compensated fairly,” added Shenouda. 

The Independent Pharmacists of Ontario (IPO) is a non-profit organization and the “voice” of Ontario’s independent pharmacists.   The IPO was formed in 2006 to ensure the sustainability and vibrancy of independent community pharmacies.  To date, the IPO has over 1000 members, representing more than 600 pharmacies across the province – and our membership is growing steadily.