Albertans can now get more healthcare services from their pharmacist

EDMONTON, Feb. 11, 2014 /CNW/ - The Alberta Pharmacists' Association is pleased to announce that it has reached a new agreement with Alberta Health and Alberta Blue Cross. This new agreement means that you can expect more at no charge to you from your pharmacist. Some of the new services in this agreement that you can expect from your pharmacist include helping you to manage your diabetes, developing a long term plan for you to stop using tobacco, creating a care plan for your medical conditions or providing you with a variety of injections.

"This expanded range of services will be very important to my patients as I will be able to make a greater difference in their care. Pharmacists play an important role as a first point of access for many people and this will help ensure we can meet the needs of the public. All of this is in addition to the things we already do for you including providing you your medications and prescription renewals. Make sure to sit down with your pharmacist to find out what they can now do for you." 
   -   Ashley Young, pharmacist

The new agreement updates how pharmacists are paid for the new and existing services they provide you.

"We believe this is a positive step forward not only for pharmacists but for Albertans as well. It provides pharmacists with stability and certainty over the next four years and means that you will be able to continue to receive the high level of service you have come to expect from your pharmacist."
   -   Ali Damani, President, Alberta Pharmacists' Association

Today, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between the Alberta Pharmacists' Association and Alberta Health. The MOU recognises that pharmacists are critical members of the healthcare team and this ensures we will be at the table with other healthcare providers in making decisions about the future of healthcare in Alberta.

"With this MOU we are looking forward to building on our relationship with Alberta Health and ensuring that the role pharmacists play in patient care is supported."
   -   Margaret Wing, CEO, Alberta Pharmacists' Association

 

Backgrounder to News Release

Albertans can now get more healthcare services from their pharmacist

The Alberta Pharmacists' Association along with Alberta Health and Alberta Blue Cross have now completed work on the documents to support the Agreement-in-Principle that was reached between the three organizations. This Agreement was previously announced in an Alberta Health news release on October 2, 2013. It includes:

• the Alberta Blue Cross Pharmacy Agreement,
• a Memorandum of Understanding between Alberta Health and the Alberta Pharmacists' Association,
• a soon to be finalized amended Ministerial Order that supports pharmacist services.

The Alberta Blue Cross Pharmacy Agreement, which sets out payment for pharmacies and pharmacists for the services they provide, has been updated for the first time since 2003. This four year agreement will provide pharmacists with stability and certainty. This agreement will be made available for review by each pharmacist and will replace the current agreement with pharmacies on April 1, 2014.

The Memorandum of Understanding between Alberta Health and the Alberta Pharmacists' Association formalizes the relationship between the two parties and recognizes the Association as the representative authority for pharmacists in Alberta. It provides a means for both parties to work through issues of mutual concern to the health of Albertans. This four year agreement has been approved by both the Minister of Health and the Association's Board of Directors.

The Ministerial Order has been updated to include administrative amendments to ease access for Albertans and new services. It will ensure that Albertans can continue to benefit from the services pharmacists currently provide and receive new services such as additional diabetes management, smoking cessation, care plans or the administration of multiple injections. Although in draft form, it is expected that the updated Ministerial Order will be approved by the Minister of Health and in place by April 1, 2014.

Throughout the month of February, the Alberta Pharmacists' Association, Alberta Health and Alberta Blue Cross will be hosting forums throughout Alberta for pharmacists to learn about the agreement. 

The Alberta Pharmacists' Association (RxA) promotes the value of pharmacists in supporting and advancing the health of Albertans.

We…

• Advocate and advance the profession
• Engage stakeholders about the value of pharmacist services
• Advocate for appropriate compensation and recognition of pharmacists' contribution to healthcare
• Inspire excellence in the profession and pharmacist practice
• Support members by providing quality services and professional development
  
  

SOURCE: Alberta Pharmacists' Association

For further information:

For Media Inquiries:
Jeff Whissell, Director of Pharmacy Practice
Alberta Pharmacists' Association
780.990.0326 extension: 23
[e-mail]