Letter to the Editor: Pharmacies in jeopardy? Potash

The notion that pharmacies are in jeopardy because of the Ontario government’s plan to restructure funding is a huge stinky pile of potash.

Robert Awad’s recent letter is one that smells a great deal like potash - and self-interest, in my opinion.

He begins:

“The McGuinty government’s announcement of massive funding cuts to community pharmacies will seriously hurt front-line health care in London.... the government is cutting $1 billion a year out of pharmacy funding...”

Put on the brakes right there, Robert.

The government plan will cut the so-called professional allowances, i.e., cash paid to pharmacists by generic drug companies to stock their products, aka influence money, grease on the skids, bribes.


["Ann would say grease is bad for business"]

The grease amounts to $750 million a year for pharmacies, allowing them to grow bigger and fatter than necessary to deliver meds over the counter.

The government plan will also boost dispensing fees by $1 at most pharmacies and add $150 million for direct patient services, e.g., flu shots.

Though Mr. Awad says “this is a reckless attempt to reduce its deficit on the backs of patients in London and across Ontario,” I say it’s about time the giant pharmaceutical companies had less say as to what gets pushed across the counter, thereby easing costs for those who need it most.

And we truly need to ease costs. (Please click here to read about the drug use of Canadian seniors).

What do you think?

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