Why the Drug Reforms are Right for Ontarians

The current drug reforms being mentioned in the news are right for all Ontarians. Here's why.

The Liberal Government of Ontario is making these changes to Ontario’s drug system:

1. For patients.
   
2. For hard-working Ontarians who were paying too much for generic drugs.
   
3. For the taxpayers who deserve a government that will stand up for them when they aren’t getting value for their money.

Ontario currently pays far too much for its prescription drugs (see the attached document for details) — as much as 80 per cent more than some other jurisdictions for some of the most popular generic drugs for diabetes, high blood pressure and other common health challenges. Believe it or not, Ontario pays even more than the United States for many generic drugs.

By far the biggest reason we pay so much more is the payment of so-called ‘professional allowances’ from generic companies to pharmacies.

By eliminating professional allowances, we’re able to cut the costs of generic drugs by at least 50% and clean up a system that was open to widespread abuse. 

All of this, in turn, generates savings that can be used to reinvest in new and more drugs and also increase directed compensation for Ontario’s pharmacists. 

Through these reforms, the government is ensuring pharmacies are fairly compensated for helping patients by increasing dispensing fees and paying for the additional services pharmacists provide to patients.

We’re committing $150 million, including a new $100 million fund, to compensate pharmacy owners for the professional services – things like medication consultations or blood pressure checks – that pharmacists provide to Ontarians.

We’re also going to be offering special compensation to ensure access to pharmacies in rural and underserviced areas.

After the reforms, dispensing fees paid by the Ontario government would increase by up to $4 for every Ontario Drug Benefit prescription filled in rural or underserviced areas of the province.

We’re doing this because we know how important it is to ensure that the people who live in these regions have access to pharmacy services, close to home.

We will continue to increase the money that is invested in Ontario’s Public Drug System. The province’s health care budget will continue to increase annually.

When it comes to drug reform: We’re on the side of patients and taxpayers. We’re doing the right thing, for the right reasons.