The Provincial Government has signed a new three-year agreement with the Pharmacists’ Association of Newfoundland and Labrador (PANL). The agreement addresses the compensation of pharmacists when providing medications and services to those who participate in the Newfoundland and Labrador Prescription Drug Program (NLPDP). The new agreement valued at $58.7 million per year is effective as of December 21, 2018. It will expire on March 31, 2021.
Some of the main items negotiated as part of the new agreement include maintaining:
- Current dispensing fees,
- Current wholesale markups,
- Current enhanced pharmacy fees,
- Current fees for opioid dependence therapy services,
- $1 million per year rural subsidy for pharmacies operating in remote communities, and
- Broadening medication review eligibility to include individuals under the NLPDP who are diagnosed with a chronic illness, and taking three or more medications. This excludes long-term care and personal care home residents.
The Provincial Government looks forward to working with PANL on other healthcare initiatives as they relate to pharmacy, such as the launch of the SaferMedsNL program. The goal of this program is to decrease the use of potentially-inappropriate medications and maintain or improve the quality of life for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.
Quotes
“Pharmacists are valued professionals who not only play an integral role in our healthcare system, but also serve as an important source of knowledge when it comes to healing and education. I am very pleased that we have signed this new three-year agreement and look forward to building on the positive working relationship we have with PANL.”
Honourable John Haggie
Minister of Health and Community Services
“We value the work of pharmacists throughout our province. We are pleased to have reached an agreement with PANL and look forward to working productively together in the future.”
Honourable Tom Osborne
Minister of Finance and President of Treasury Board
“The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and the province’s pharmacy industry are currently facing great uncertainty and fiscal challenges. Given that reality, our goal throughout this negotiation process was to ensure stability for our members, and we think this agreement does just that while acknowledging the important role of pharmacists in front line healthcare. We extend thanks to the Provincial Government for a fair and respectful negotiation process. Not only is a sustainable community pharmacy sector beneficial for residents, but it helps government meet their healthcare priorities.”
Steve Gillingham
Chair, Pharmacists’ Association of Newfoundland and Labrador
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Learn more
Newfoundland and Labrador Prescription Drug Program
Pharmacists’ Association of Newfoundland and Labrador
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Media contacts
Kathy Dicks-Peyton
Health and Community Services
709-729-6986, 699-1982
KathyDicksPeyton@gov.nl.ca
Marc Budgell
Finance
709-729-2477, 689-0430
marcbudgell@gov.nl.ca
Jennifer Collingwood
Pharmacists’ Association of Newfoundland and Labrador
709-753-7881
jcollingwood@panl.net