A small contingent from Cochrane’s Grand Avenue Pharmacy marched through Calgary on April 12 in response to the provincial government’s plan to reduce generic drug costs.
A dozen people walked amongst about 200 other supporters as they travelled together from Calgary’s Barclay Centre to the McDougall Centre in an effort to have their concerns heard.
“We’re fighting for our patients — and we’re not going to stop fighting,” said Ian Kruger, co-owner of Grand Avenue Pharmacy and the store’s main pharmacist.
Kruger and his colleagues are vehemently battling the cuts announced by the Alberta Government, which will see the cost it pays for generic drugs dropped from 35 per cent to 18 per cent — the lowest in the country.
Slated to be effective May 1, the change in drug prices is expected to save the province about $90 million each year.
This $90 million will be reinvested into the health care system.
This spells trouble for some pharmacies, said Kruger.
And while some drug stores may have to cut services provided for patients, lay off staff or close doors entirely, he said Grand Avenue Pharmacy will be working hard to maintain top-notch patient care.
“This is a huge cut in revenue for all Alberta pharmacies,” said Kruger. “In the end, we’re going to be assessing hours, assessing employees, assessing wages — everything will be assessed. But here in Cochrane, with such strong community support, we’re going to do everything it takes to maintain our level of customer service.”
The biggest concern for Kruger and his staff is patient accessibility. Pharmacists are the most accessible health care professional, said Kruger, and losing that easy access will hurt patients the most.
“Patient care first,” said Kruger, a slogan that was chanted throughout April 12’s march. “That’s our number one factor in fighting these cuts.”
Alongside the announcement of the reduced generic drug costs, health minister Fred Horne said the government will be distributing $40 million to help pharmacists address any of the troubles that may be caused from the lower payouts.
Horne also recommended pharmacists invoice for providing services like renewing prescriptions and discussing medication management with patients. This concept was introduced last year, but Kruger said it isn’t a viable method of creating revenue.
Although he was expecting drug costs to go down, Kruger said he was shocked and overwhelmed to see the numbers dip as low as 18 per cent. He said he was expecting a number closer to 25 per cent.
“The biggest frustration for us was that there were no discussions with the Alberta Pharmacists’ Association,” he stated. “We were expecting a cut, but nothing like what was announced. I just about fell over when I read about them, I was so overwhelmed.”
At the moment, Kruger said that he and the rest of the crew at Grand Avenue Pharmacy will be keeping their staff and their normal hours, and will be continuing to fight for the rights of their patients.
