CFIB advocates on behalf of independent pharmacy owners
For more details
Letter to Minister Susan Sullivan
Feedback on new generic drug pricing model
Letter to Minister Jerome Kennedy
A voice for independently-owned pharmacies
The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is implementing a generic drug pricing policy, which our members fear will reduce their revenue. While we agree that provincial health care costs need to be controlled, just like overall government spending, we also feel that pharmacy owners should have a voice in negotiations on the new generic drug policy.
The provincial government considers the Pharmacy Association of Newfoundland and Labrador (PANL) as the primary negotiating group for the pharmacy industry. However, many independently-owned pharmacy owners do not feel that PANL represents their best interests. They feel this association represents pharmacists, not business owners.
We have spoken with our members who are independent pharmacy owners, representatives of PANL, members of the Council of Independent Community Pharmacy Owners, and officials from the provincial government. As a stakeholder, we were invited to provide feedback to government on the proposed new generic drug pricing model.
Our message is that independent pharmacies must be the the first priority when negotiating a new generic drug policy. Any moves on the part of the provincial government (e.g. phase-in periods and/or increases in dispensing fees) must take into account lost revenue due to the province's generic drug policy. For more details, please see our letter to Minister Susan Sullivan, attached.
We will continue to be involved in this issue and in contact with the provincial government officials to voice our members' concerns.
