As many of you know, on February 28, the Province announced a new two-year funding framework agreement established by three agreements including
- the Alberta Blue Cross Pharmaceutical Services Provider Agreement (ABCPSPA),
- the Ministerial Order for the Compensation of Pharmacy Services (MO), and
- the RxA Memorandum of Understanding with Government (MoU).
Since the announcement was made, pharmacists have reached out to ACP to share their concerns about how the agreement will impact their ability to care for their patients, and their livelihood.
Although ACP is not legally permitted to set professional fees, set guidelines for professional fees, or negotiate professional fees, we understand the concerns that pharmacists have brought forward. Many pharmacists have contacted the college to share the impact that the agreement will have on accessibility to services important to some populations, particularly the vulnerable.
ACP was not privy to the negotiation process and learned about the contract details through the Minister’s news release, just like all pharmacists and pharmacy technicians did.
As a next step, ACP will meet with RxA and other stakeholders to learn more about how the public, the health system, and the profession will be impacted by this new agreement.
The college will continue to promote ethical practice by all pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, and support them to provide safe and effective care to every individual and family they serve.
