ACCAP-Quebec calls for fair pricing for prescription drugs for all Quebecers

QUEBEC, Feb. 24, 2016 /CNW/ - Life and health insurers in Quebec are calling for the fees charged by pharmacists to be the same for all Quebecers, whether they are covered by the public or private component of the province's general prescription drug insurance plan. Participating in today's public consultation on Bill 81, ACCAP-Quebec's President Lyne Duhaime stated that, "currently, a person with private coverage pays on average 17% more than someone covered by the public portion of the general plan for the same drug, bought at the same pharmacy. This disparity is deeply unfair to the 60% of Quebecers covered under private plans."

The main cause of this disparity is that professional fees charged by pharmacists to dispense prescription drugs are higher for those covered by private plans. "Since pharmacists' fees are not regulated, fees charged to the private insurance industry can be twice or even three times higher than those billed to the public plan, for the exact same drug and service", emphasized Ms. Duhaime.

In light of this unfairness, ACCAP-Quebec is calling for the government to work with the industry to develop a recommendation for reducing the gap between the fees billed by pharmacists to those with private and public coverage under Quebec's general prescription drug insurance plan.

ACCAP-Quebec is participating in today's public consultation on reducing the cost of certain medications covered by the general prescription drug insurance plan.  

About ACCAP-Quebec

ACCAP-Quebec comprises member companies of the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association based in the province of Quebec. Established in 1894, the CLHIA is a voluntary association whose member companies account for 99 per cent of Canada's life and health insurance business. The industry provides a wide range of financial security products such as life insurance, annuities (including RRSPs, RRIFs and pensions) and supplementary health insurance to 28 million Canadians. It also holds more than $720 billion of assets in Canada and employs 155,000 Canadians.

SOURCE Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association Inc.

Lyne Duhaime, President, ACCAP-Quebec, [phone], [email protected]