Changes coming to prescription renewals
Posted Feb 19, 2012 1:37 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Alberta Health Services recently announced it will soon start paying pharmacists to renew patient prescriptions.
Pharmacists have been able to renew prescriptions since 2007 but very few did because they weren’t receiving extra pay for the extra work.
The move means pharmacists will now have the ability to renew prescriptions for thing like birth control or other non-habit forming medicines.
Those in need of narcotics like oxycodone will still have to visit their family physician.
The change will make things convenient for patients as well as reduce wait times for family physicians and walk-in clinics.
Spokesperson for Friends of Medicare Dave Eggen tells 660News he does have concerns.
“I’m concerned about people renewing prescriptions to increase their revenues. As opposed to the needs of the patients,” says Eggen.
Pharmacists will receive $20 for each prescription renewal compared to the $35 physicians currently receive.
More than a-thousand Alberta pharmacists will begin prescription renewal starting July 1st, 2012.
