Poll finds 76% of Ontarians Against Cuts to Pharmacy Funding
94% Say Pharmacists Are Vital Part of Health Care System
"There's a much higher degree of consensus on these issues than you see with most public policy questions," said Nik Nanos, President of Nanos Research. "People trust and depend on their pharmacies, and there would be very little support for cutting their funding."
Ontario's Community Pharmacies have warned that cutting funding would lead to pharmacist and staff layoffs, significant service reductions, shorter pharmacy operating hours, less access to pharmacists, and the closing of some neighbourhood pharmacies. According to the poll, Ontarians have clear opinions on these issues.
- 9 in 10 believe it is very important (63%) or somewhat important (27%) to have access to their community pharmacy after their physician's office is closed. - Three-quarters agreed (63%) or somewhat agreed (12%) that if their community pharmacy closed, it would hurt both the quality and the access to health care in their neighbourhood.
"It's very encouraging that the public supports community pharmacy so strongly, and we hope the government is listening," said Ben Shenouda, President of the Independent Pharmacists of Ontario. "We are very concerned about public comments from government officials indicating that they intend to reduce generic drug prices, which under the current system would cut funding to pharmacies. Unless the government adequately made up the difference through direct funding for pharmacy services, this would have very serious consequences for patient care and the ability of pharmacies to continue delivering services."
Chronic underfunding
Ontario has chronically underfunded pharmacy care. The province has set a fee of
The government has indicated that drug system changes could also include reducing or eliminating the indirect funding pharmacies receive in the form of professional allowances paid by drug manufacturers. Under the current system, without professional allowances, pharmacies lose money when they provide care to patients covered by the Ontario Drug Benefit program.
"Pharmacists provide essential healthcare services every day, and it's clear that patients value that care," said
Survey methodology
The poll was conducted by Nanos Research. Results are based on a random representative telephone survey of 1,001 adult Ontarians, between
About Ontario's Community Pharmacies
The Ontario's Community Pharmacies coalition is the unified voice of community pharmacy in Ontario, representing independent owner-operated stores, "banner" groups of independently-owned stores that work together, as well as large and small pharmacy chains. The coalition is supported by the associations and organizations that represent both the profession and the neighbourhood business of pharmacy, including the Ontario Pharmacists' Association, the Independent Pharmacists of Ontario, the Canadian Association of Chain Drug Stores and the Ontario Chain Drug Association.
For further information: Ben Shenouda, President, Independent Pharmacists of Ontario, Mobile: (416) 566-7258; Deborah McNorgan, Director, Communications, Ontario Pharmacists' Association, (416) 441-0788 ext. 4266; Nik Nanos, President and CEO, Nanos Research, Office: (613) 234-4666 x 237
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