The Ontario government posted draft amendments to O. Reg. 201/96 of the Ontario Drug Benefit Act, which would extend the pharmacy reconciliation process for the 2023/24 fiscal year and remove an additional $57 Million from biweekly pharmacy remittance payments. Read more!
These draft regulations are subject to a consultation period until March 29, 2023. During this time, concerned stakeholders can submit responses to the regulations. Responses submitted in writing through one of the approved mechanisms are considered in finalizing the regulations and are public record.
OPA strongly opposes these regulations. We are asking the government not to approve an extension to reconciliation and to further invest in pharmacy-based care.
We ask all pharmacy professionals to submit a response during the consultation period to ensure that government is aware of the direct negative impact extending reconciliation will have on community pharmacies in Ontario. OPA has produced content for pharmacy professionals to use in responding to these regulations and instructions on sending your response so that it is appropriately recorded and has maximum impact.
Choose From the Options Below
How to Submit a Response As a Pharmacy Professional
Use the information below to compose and send an email if you are a pharmacy professional. Instructions for patients are available below..
| To: | [email protected] |
| CC: | [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Your MPP's email address. Find it here Looking for your electoral district? Find it here |
| Subject | 23-HLTC027 – Response to Regulation 201/96 Pharmacy Reconciliation Adjustment Extension |
| If you do not include this subject line , your submission will not be considered | |
| Message | To Whom It May Concern, As a pharmacy professional, I am writing in response to Regulation 201/96, which, if enacted, will have a devastating impact on community pharmacies like mine. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Ontario pharmacy teams protected families and communities across the province. Collectively, we have administered more than 10.5 million COVID-19 vaccines and more than one million tests. We play an essential role in protecting Ontario’s drug supply and preventing and managing critical drug shortages at a time when the supply chain has shown immense vulnerability. In the community pharmacy setting, pharmacy teams kept doors open to support patients in their health care needs while simultaneously stepping up to deliver public health services within the familiar and accessible brick-and-mortar footprint in every community across Ontario. Pharmacies Create Capacity in Ontario’s Health System Beyond our impressive contribution to the Ontario pandemic response, pharmacy professionals throughout the province support continuity of care in hospitals and long-term care homes, increased home visits and medication delivery services to the most vulnerable, and improved access to the flu shot to increase community vaccination rates. Furthermore, Ontario’s recent launch of the minor ailments program is already making a positive impact by improving access to convenient care for patients everywhere in the province. Pharmacies in every Public Health Unit are doing more to provide this much-needed care to our patients. More than 70,000 Ontarians have already benefitted from the program, with the vast majority (83%) seeking care in person at their local pharmacy. All these initiatives have eased the tremendous pressures in other areas of our health care system, like primary care offices, walk-in clinics, and emergency departments. With further investment in pharmacy-based care, Ontarians stand to benefit from safe, high-quality, and cost-effective care. Accessibility for Patients in Urban, Rural and Remote Settings The accessibility of pharmacy professionals is another reason to look to our profession as a place to invest rather than cut, with more than 9 out of 10 Ontarians living within 5 kilometres of a pharmacy and Ontarians desperately needing more care options close to home. We help people in every region of the province, including in rural and remote areas, to manage their health in a safe, effective, and convenient way. With this in mind, we know that reducing pharmacy team capacity by cutting $57 Million of funding directly from pharmacy operating budgets is not in the best interest of Ontario’s public. Reducing Pharmacy Funding Adversely Impacts Patient Care This vital funding goes directly towards pharmacy professionals and support staff salaries, covering overhead costs like rent, utilities, inventory, technology, and much more. All these costs to operate have increased considerably in recent years, with pharmacy reimbursements decreasing and no opportunity for pharmacies to pass on the increased costs of operation due to the highly regulated nature of drug reimbursement. Cuts to payments for services provided to patients, as detailed in this regulation, have an immediate, severe impact on the ability of pharmacy teams to provide the same high levels of support and care to our patients. Pharmacy is a Strong, Able Partner for Community-Based Health Care Ontario’s pharmacy professionals are calling for an end to health care funding cuts through pharmacy reconciliation and instead emphasize the need for strategic investment in patient care initiatives delivered through pharmacy teams. As a strong and able partner for providing care in our communities, we will continue delivering on our long track record of providing exceptional value on these investments back to the public payor and to Ontarians. Ontario’s pharmacy teams have stepped up in Ontario to support patients and expand access to care. Now we are asking our government to stand up for us. Sincerely, CC. Premier Doug Ford Minister Sylvia Jones Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy |
| You may further personalize the letter by adding your name to the bottom after "Sincerely," | |
How to Submit a Response As a Patient
Use the information below to compose and send an email if you are a patient.
| To: | [email protected] |
| CC: | [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Your MPP's email address. Find it here Looking for your electoral district? Find it here |
| Subject | 23-HLTC027 – Response to Regulation 201/96 Pharmacy Reconciliation Adjustment Extension |
| If you do not include this subject line , your submission will not be considered | |
| Message | To Whom It May Concern, I am writing in response to the posting of Regulation 201/96 to express my concern about how this regulation will negatively affect the care my family receives from our community pharmacy. As a patient and community member, I deeply value the contributions of my pharmacy and the team of pharmacy professionals who work there to support my health. Whether managing my medications, providing valuable advice on health topics and medicines, giving vaccines, or helping manage transitions in care, my pharmacy team is always here to support me. Given the challenges we encountered in accessing the health care we need in the face of a global pandemic, I'm grateful my pharmacy kept its doors open and took on new, expanded roles to care for my community. Now, pharmacy teams do even more to provide health care closer to my home by offering assessment and treatment for minor ailments – something this government should be proud they have enabled in Ontario after noting the program's success in other provinces. With this in mind, we know that reducing pharmacy team capacity by cutting $57 Million of funding directly from pharmacy operating budgets is not in the best interest of Ontario’s public. With health care workers struggling to manage burnout and overwork, cutting funding does not make sense. My family and I directly benefit from the government’s investment in pharmacy-based services, and we need more of this type of access, not less. My pharmacy is one of the first places I go when I need health care. I’m deeply concerned that by cutting funding to pharmacies through these regulations, I won’t have the same access to care I’ve come to rely on within my community. I’m asking the government to support our pharmacy professionals, who have supported Ontario’s patients throughout the pandemic and beyond. Now is the time for investment in health care for our communities. Ontario’s pharmacy teams have proven they step up for patients when given the opportunity. Please don’t limit their ability to do so by making these unnecessary health care cuts. Sincerely, CC. Premier Doug Ford Minister Sylvia Jones Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy |
| You may further personalize the letter by adding your name to the bottom after "Sincerely," | |