Dear Editor:
On March 7 the Redford government announced sweeping unilateral cuts to pharmacy in the budget.
These draconian measures made with no consultation with pharmacists or our bargaining association RxA will have a severe negative impact on patient care in this province.
Having received significant cuts over the years, pharmacy with the most recent budget announcement has been dealt a potentially fatal blow.
The government has pharmacists hands tied and claims they have re-invested, but it is smoke and mirrors.
They are spending over $400,000 on an advertising campaign that touts the budget cuts as constructive but they do not tell the very real “human cost” of these measures.
Pharmacists agree completely with reducing drug costs and were on their way to this, but these cuts are too deep, too fast.
Pharmacists are Albertan's most accessible health care providers, they are Alberta's triage.
The cuts that the Government of Alberta are forcing upon pharmacy will result in:
• reduced operating hours, pharmacist and staff layoffs, and store closures
• less counseling from pharmacists on health related matters
• longer waits and more inconvenience when filling or renewing prescriptions
• increased emergency room and hospital visits
• increases in adverse drug reactions
• less effective medication therapy
• drug shortages due to manufacturers moving to more profitable markets
• more trips to your doctor and more difficulty getting appointments
On April 11 pharmacists and staff across Alberta will be attending several rallies to protest these cuts and ask the government to finally come to the table and listen to our concerns and proposed solutions.
Owners, pharmacists, staff, and customers (please join us at the McDougall Centre in Calgary at 11 a.m.) from Grand Avenue Pharmacy will be attending the Calgary rally so service levels will be affected as a skeleton staff will be at the store to serve you from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
It is our sincere hope that this service level will not become the norm in the future and are hopeful all Cochrane pharmacies will be supporting the rally.
We are sorry for any inconvenience but feel strongly that it is in our customers’ best interest to attend the rally to send a message to Minister Horne and Premier Redford.
Staff will also be handing out information packages regarding the cutbacks on Thursday.
We need your help to tell the government that enough is really enough. Health care delivery in our communities is seriously at risk and Albertans need to stand up and say "STOP".
There are three ways you can help:
• sign our in-store petition
• go to supportmypharmacy.ca and send a note to your MLA that you are concerned
• keep up your loyal support for our pharmacy
At Grand Avenue Pharmacy we pledge to do everything in our power to maintain the service you have come to expect and deserve and thank you for your understanding and support.
Ian Kruger, Kelly Kimmett, Jodi Makkreel, Lynette Perrier, and staff
